Tree for carbon storage

American Forests, Summer, 2005

Tree Doctor: Which tree types that would thrive in Atlanta absorb the most carbon monoxide? Where do pine trees fit into the equation?

I ask because I have a few pine trees that are dying and need to be cut down. I would like to replace them with a tree that helps the environment.

J.L. Todd

Via e-mail

Gary Moll responds: Southern pine problems are common in the Atlanta area, often from either pine beetles or ecological stress caused by a combination of weather and stocking. Look around at what is doing well in your neighborhood. Several oaks do well in the Atlanta area; you might want to consider either southern red oak or willow oak. You can determine how much carbon monoxide a tree will absorb by observing how well it grows. Carbon makes up about half the weight of a tree; the better it grows- and the heavier the wood when dry-the more carbon it uses. For example, a pine or fast-growing hardwood like silver maple doesn't take up as much carbon for its size as oaks do. Try picking up a few pieces of firewood; the heavy ones have a lot of carbon, the light ones don't.