How to Conserve Trees

Trees are a critical resource in so many ways. They produce the oxygen we breathe, create necessary shade and provide a habitat for wildlife and other plant life. While we have to cut down some of them for lumber, paper and the other tree products that we need, we can all do our part to protect the rest of our trees.

Saving trees is a huge undertaking. Which conservation effort helps to conserve trees the most? It's hard to figure out the most effective way to help. Don't get caught up debating which conservation effort helps to conserve trees the most; instead, adopt a number of tree-friendly new habits and practices.

There are a ton of tree conservation programs around the world working on protecting our trees, and they need all the help they can get. Organizations like American Forests and Amazon Conservation welcome donations, which they use to fund replanting, research and education efforts. Depending on where you live, you may also be able to volunteer time or donate money to local tree conservation programs. Do an online search for your city name and "tree conservation" to find local groups.

Local tree organizations can also be a great resource for anyone who has specific questions about things like protecting the trees on their own property since your climate, soil and tree types will determine the kinds of problems that you might see in your trees.

Which conservation effort helps to conserve trees and produces results you can see with your own eyes? Donating money to tree groups is a great way to help the cause, but there's something equally satisfying about planting trees in your own community. You'll always get a thrill out of seeing that "your" trees have grown bigger.

Search online for a tree planting event in your area. These events are generally scheduled for the spring and fall seasons. People living in big cities may also be able to volunteer with tree groups that have weekly tree planting projects and/or adopt-a-tree programs. With the latter, volunteers can adopt one or more trees in public areas and make sure they're watered, mulched and otherwise well cared for.

Planting trees for soil conservation can also be useful in areas that are affected by erosion. Planting trees for soil conservation works because the trees' roots help anchor soil in place so it's not swept away by wind and water. If soil erosion is an issue on your property, planting more trees could help.

Giving money to tree conservation groups and planting trees for soil conservation are examples of actions that can have a big impact on future trees, but it's also important to think about how you contribute to current deforestation. Make an effort to be conscious about how you use paper and other tree products.

For example, instead of ordering a lot of individual packages from an online retailer – each in its own cardboard box – can you shop locally for those items? Can you commit to only buying recycled paper and other tree products made from recycled materials and pressure your employer to do the same thing? Can you make a point to always recycle paper and shred sensitive documents with a company that recycles its shreds? These actions may feel like they have a small impact in the moment but think about how much paper you can save over a lifetime.

Finally, if you're buying lumber or wooden furniture, look for products that are FSC certified. The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) only certifies wood that has come from responsibly managed forests. Essentially, you can be confident that any wood labeled with the FSC name/logo has been cut down in a way that is ethically and environmentally responsible.