Imagine a walk down a street on a scorching hot, Louisiana summer day. The sun beats down relentlessly. The pavement is a sizzling griddle. The air is a suffocating wave of heat. Miserable, right? But now, picture that same street lined with towering, leafy trees. Their shade becomes an oasis that cools the air and offers relief from the sun’s heat. The world feels fresher, quieter, almost as if nature itself is exhaling. That’s the quiet power of trees, which provide comfort, protection, and fresh air in a world that desperately needs it.
As a tree hugger, as some call people like myself, I’m a strong advocate for maintaining and creating green spaces in all communities. I truly care for the environment and believe everyone should reap the benefits that trees give. However, they, too, feel the effects of the increasing temperatures as everyone and everything else. We need to understand the nature and function of trees as well as how to help them through extreme weather.
Trees do so much more than add beauty to our neighborhoods, parks, and streetscapes. They also provide the following benefits.
Clean the air. Trees absorb pollutants like carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter, making the air we breathe healthier.
Support wildlife. Birds, insects, and small mammals rely on trees for food and shelter, keeping ecosystems balanced.
Prevent floods. Tree roots help absorb rainwater, reducing runoff and minimizing the risk of floods and soil erosion.
Boost our well-being. Studies show that being around trees lowers stress levels, improves mood, and even enhances concentration.
Provide shade. Their canopies act like umbrellas, which block direct sunlight and prevent heat from accumulating on roads, sidewalks, and buildings.
Keep us cool. This one is essential for people and animals. The moisture that trees release into the air through transpiration (water released into the atmosphere) creates a natural cooling effect. Tree shade can reduce city temperatures by up to 10°F. This is because the tree cover reduces the heat island effect, a phenomenon when roads, buildings, and other infrastructure absorb heat and release it back into the environment. In neighborhoods and urban areas with more trees, people and animals experience fewer heat-related illnesses.
Just like people, trees also endure the effects of climate change. As global temperatures continue to rise, trees are struggling to survive in many areas. Prolonged heat waves, droughts, and changing weather patterns weaken them, which makes them more vulnerable to disease and pests. In urban settings, where trees are already stressed by pollution and limited space, the impact is even greater.
Every species of tree thrives within a certain range of temperatures. If that threshold is crossed, the tree’s ability to function and survive is compromised. Too much heat for extended periods can cause excessive transpiration, leading to a loss of water within the plant, which can lead to the death of the tree. If a tree experiences heat stress, it will show symptoms that include drooping branches, browning leaf tips, small or unusually shaped leaves, or even dieback of branches. Heat stress can cause trees to lose water faster than they can absorb it. Another way a tree can be stressed, especially in urban areas, is through heat loading. This is when the tree’s internal temperature rises from absorbing too much energy from sunlight, hot air, and reflected heat from pavement and buildings.
Because of rising temperatures and other environmental factors, such as droughts, the survival of certain tree species in some areas is threatened. Some species that were planted ten years ago are now migrating north, and may not be the same species that should be planted in the same area today. However, some trees will remain resilient through climate change, but guidance from local organizations like Baton Rouge Green, SOUL Nola, and your local forester can suggest alternative species for plantings if needed. For Louisiana, that means looking at species that grow farther south and west because those trees are adapted to live in more intense heat.
As Louisiana and the world get warmer, we have to provide our communities with trees and shade structures for our comfort and health. We need to prepare for environmental changes and be more mindful about what species of trees we plant so that they can thrive and offer their benefits to people, animals, and the land itself.
The Center for Planning Excellence is currently developing a Tree Canopy Cultivation Guide that will be a resource for local government elected officials and staff, community-based organizations, individuals, and anyone interested in cultivating tree canopies. The guide will:
provide information on the importance of trees in creating an environment of health and well-being,
foster discussions on the present condition of urban forests and strategies for enhancing and sustaining tree canopy coverage,
drive the inclusion of tree canopy in infrastructure planning and management at the community level, and
empower communities with information, policies, and best practices for equitable cultivation of tree canopy coverage.
The resource will be tailored to specifically address Louisiana’s environmental conditions and risks, geography, planting zones, sociopolitical circumstances, and demographics. Guide users will learn in detail about the benefits of trees and how to increase a community’s green space. Relevant topics will include urban heat islands, public health, and placemaking. A section on extreme heat will cover the challenges of this health and safety concern and provide best practices and techniques to address them. The guide will have maintenance and funding information available as well. Be on the lookout for it!
Planting a tree is an act of hope and a commitment to a future where streets are cooler, air is cleaner, and communities are healthier. As we plan for a hotter Louisiana, we can take steps now to ensure that the trees we plant today will thrive for generations to come, offering shade, beauty, and resilience in the face of change.