Climate Change and Trees

Planting trees will not improve or worsen the climate in the long term. Instead, consider whether the tree you are planting will survive in the current climate.

You will need to maintain the tree for the first few years to make sure it starts growing well from the beginning. Ihor Hvozdetskyi/Shutterstock

Q: We have a new landscape, and we want to plant trees that will help with climate change. Any suggestions?

A: What is your definition of climate change? Do you think your area is going to get warmer or colder? What are you trying to accomplish by planting a tree? Are you planting the tree to absorb carbon or to shade the house? Will a tree block future solar panels?