Green Magic
Trees – A magical
invention
Researchers from all over the world spend many sleepless nights trying to find smart solutions to halt the onset of climate change. But there is one invention that has already proven effective. Trees! Trees are a terrific aid in the fight against climate change, thanks to their ability to absorb carbon dioxide and purify the air. But they also function as noise and wind barriers, and benefit biodiversity.
Through the Trees in Cities Challenge, the UN has invited cities to participate in a global campaign. The City of Helsingborg, which has been ranked as Sweden’s best municipality from an environmental perspective, got on board at an early stage. In 2020, no less than 11,500 new trees were planted! We are now rolling up our sleeves and planting more trees in 2021!
Help make Helsingborg even greener! When you have planted a tree, use the form to report it. Use the hashtags #treesincitieschallenge and #H22themakingofasmartercity in your own channels so that Helsingborg can serve as a role model for this global initiative!
The Trees in Cities Challenge campaign was launched at the UN Climate Action Summit in New York in the autumn of 2019.
One, two, tree!
That’s how easy it is
to plant a tree
1
DIG
Dig a square or rectangular hole around 60 cm deep and around 80 cm wide. The square shape prevents the roots from growing in circles and makes it easier for the root system to grow downwards and to the sides. Mind the distance to other trees, it is important to give the tree plenty of space to develop its crown.
2
PLANT
Add supports (1–3 wooden beams per tree, depending on the tree’s size) and then place the tree in the hole. Place the tree in the middle and fill the hole with soil. Only use planting soil with natural fertiliser. Pack the soil with your foot to close any air pockets, then water generously.
3
SUPPORT
Use gunny cloth or a used flexible bicycle tube as a binding material between the support and the tree.
Tips!
Collect rainwater in a barrel
– this also saves tap water.
Plant Swedish broad-leaved trees or fruit trees
– these help create biodiversity.
Refrain from planting invasive species
– these threaten biodiversity and can have a negative impact on the ecosystem. Examples of invasive species include: sycamore, tree of heaven, black locust, and savin juniper.
Keep a one metre radius around the tree free from grass
– that way, the tree does not need to compete for nutrition and water.
Report your planted trees!
Challenge the city by reporting your planted trees.
Together we’re making Helsingborg a green role model.
CITY PLANNING DEPARTMENT
A tree nursery in the middle of the city
On Sundstorget square in Helsingborg, we are right now testing a temporary park where we let trees get a start on life in the city instead of at a nursery elsewhere. In this way, the trees start benefiting the city environment at an earlier stage, and residents get to enjoy the beautiful greenery. It also lets us gather new knowledge before making decisions on costly permanent solutions.
CITY PLANNING DEPARTMENT
The trees will text when they’re thirsty
Trees are valuable themselves, but they also increase the value of their surroundings – they create well-being and better air quality. One problem is that many trees are damaged by over-watering or dehydration, because we don’t always know when they need water. There is an innovation initiative that uses sensors to measure the soil’s moisture beside trees that grow in exposed areas or areas difficult to maintain. This gives us a better overview and create better conditions for trees to thrive.
CITY PLANNING DEPARTMENT
Skogspaus – a virtual forest break
Research shows that spending time in the forest helps to prevent stress and mental ill-health, but not everyone has a real forest within reach. In the pilot project Skogspaus, we are testing whether a virtual forest can have the same positive effects on stress as a real forest.
