Trees What Trees?

The issue of what species of tree to plant in an attempt to counter the levels of carbon dioxide (a major 'greenhouse gas') in the atmosphere, has arisen before. A major study from Leeds University has now analysed the data from 200,000 tree rings from 110 species of trees from many continents (North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australia) ( https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/sep/08/shorter-lifespan-of-faster-growing-trees-will-add-to-climate-crisis-study-finds). The study confirmed that rapidly-growing tree species (of the type likely to be planted, by forestry agencies, in attempts to restore woodlands or to compensate for air travel), have short life spans and are more prone to disease. It is consequently argued that such planting is not very effective in removing carbon dioxide (i.e. producing a so-called 'sink'). It has actually been pointed out that the world's forests are showing a decline in their ability to remove this 'greenhouse gas' and further doubt has been directed to the idea that we can compensate for fossil fuel emissions by simply planting more trees. The species of tree is of fundamental importance. Quick growing species are not effective enough and we probably don't have sufficient time to wait for the slow growing species to do the job!