Environmental Applications

CO2 sequestration

Trees are among the world's greatest defenses against global warming. A tree farm of 10,000 acres planted in western Oregon would generate approximately 1,600,000 tons of CO2 equivalent. The farm could be partially capitalized through the sale of its carbon resources. At maturity, the "carbon sink" would still produce an annual harvest of timber that would not diminish the amount of the carbon stored, because only the permanently sequestered carbon in the trees aged 1 to 10 would be credited. The timber harvest would create an annual cash flow that would help protect the carbon sink.

Desertification

According to the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization, drought and desertification threaten the livelihoods of over 1 billion people in more than 110 countries. We've consulted with government officials from China, North Korea and Burkina Faso in West Africa to encourage practical methods of afforestation. By developing commercial and non-commercial tree farms, we can help these regions fight and prevent desertification.

Waste water management

Excess nutrients and other chemicals from agricultural, municipal and industrial operations degrade surface and ground water quality. We've consulted on and helped establish wastewater treatment facilities in the Pacific Northwest that put fast-growing trees to work recycling nutrients from solid and liquid waste.

Watershed restoration

Our private nursery of native cottonwood and hybrid species can be used to enhance and rebuild watersheds. Mature cottonwood trees and hybrid poplar trees have deep roots and high nitrate uptake that make them ideal natural filters in the riparian zone.

Windbreaks

Trees protect a variety of wind-sensitive crops and livestock, can control wind and snow erosion, increase bee pollination and improve pesticide effectiveness. Our native and hybrid poplar trees grow upwards of 12 feet in height and 1 to 2 inches in diameter per year, making them ideal for windbreaks.