There’s so many different things that trees offer to us whether it be shade, oxygen, beauty, and so much more. They can even tell us history through something called tree rings. Tree rings form on a tree every year when they add a ring of wood. A light-colored ring usually indicates rapid spring/summer growth while a dark-colored ring indicates slower fall/winter growth. Tree rings can tell us about climate records, environmental disturbances, and even the tree’s health and age.
Unfortunately, there are a lot of negative things that come out of removing an old tree. For example, old trees tend to have a lot of built up carbon dioxide so when they are cut down, all of that carbon dioxide gets released into the atmosphere. Many old trees have historical significance so cutting them down often erases cultural memory.
Fortunately, there are many things you can do to help these older trees without cutting them down right away. Pruning is always a really good option that helps to maintain tree health and structure. Another great option is to use cabling and bracing to provide support to these older trees to prevent them from falling naturally.