China is in the process of uprooting trees to improve its urban landscape. China needs more trees to help curb pollution and other issues that the nation has. Massive urbanization has made it necessary for China to do this.
Some of the uprooted trees have been moved to new cities. For example, in 2013, a tree known as ‘Frank’, was taken from the city of Xialiu. 300 years old, ‘Frank’ wound up being part of construction site to create a new hotel. Unfortunately, by the time the hotel’s foundation had been laid, the tree died.
Uprooting trees may not be the best course of action, but China doesn’t seem to have other options. Perhaps, planting more trees may be better.
One way that China tries to keep their transplanted trees safe is by putting green plastic covers over them in winter. This keeps the trees warm. To many, the look of the covering makes it seem as though they are environmentally-friendly. However, they are not. The netting is non-biodegradable plastic.
So, it seems that China’s commitment to the environment is not terribly strong. This may be something that harms the nation going forward. However, China continues to uproot trees. Along the Yangtze River, there’s a road where a plethora of trees taken from other villages reside. They are there because their homes have been razed for new construction.
China is the most populous nation on earth and becoming highly developed with businesses and lodging for its citizens. In order for China to thrive economically, it must pay a cost environmentally. However, is the cost too great? We don’t know, but it’s an interesting concept to ponder, isn’t it?
In the Jiangbezui central business district, they tried making a bit of an urban forest back in 2008. They planted and transplanted trees to make a ‘forest city’. The trees are lovely, but they look a little bit out of place.
Basically, China is trying to put a band-aid over a gaping head wound. Planting more trees would be better than transplanting them. However, China’s main goals seem to be economic and urban development. This does not include an environmental focus. Perhaps, in the future, China will be more likely to plant trees than to transplant them. We don’t know.
What do you think about transplanting instead of planting trees? What do you think is in store for China’s urban landscape? As you ponder these questions, we’d love for you to come back and read future articles on trees. We do them weekly and look forward to your reading of them.
