When we were kids my sister and I were best friends, inseparable even. Something changed during adulthood and we ventured down separate paths. I’m a rock ribbed conservative, she’s just as firmly entrenched in political liberalism. I’m a fundamentalist evangelical (in the classic meaning of those terms) and sis leans a little new age. Perhaps one of our most stark contrasts comes at the point of our outlook towards environmentalism and the green movement.

I wrote a novel about an extremist environmental group, funded by international interests, that tries to force the shut-down of coal power generation plants.  My sister on the other hand is very active in several local and national “green” groups. Don’t get me wrong, we still talk weekly and we will always love each other, we just don’t agree often.

Recently however we have found an environmental issue that we readily agree on, planting trees. No matter which side of the man-caused climate change debate one is on, the benefits to our environment of tree planting are readily apparent. For example, consider a new subdivision being constructed in what was once an open field. As resident move in, if each one plants two to three trees on their lot, the subsequent benefit to the environment over the original open field is significant. Not only do trees absorb much more CO2 than grasses, they can also provide food and mast for insects and wildlife.

Consider the American Chestnut tree. A forest service survey conducted in the early 1900’s showed the American Chestnut to be the most populous tree in forests east of the Mississippi River. Then, man’s poor environmental stewardship interfered when plant nurseries began selling a Japanese Chestnut variety that had been infected with a fungus. As American towns and cities grew, demand for ornamental trees did as well. The fast growing Japanese Chestnut was sold and planted across the eastern seaboard, rapidly spreading the fungus (also known as chestnut blight) to the American Chestnut, killing nearly four billion of these majestic trees.

Organizations like the American Chestnut Foundation promote restoration of this native tree, whose nuts are not only delicious for humans when roasted, but that also provide 25% more nutrition than an equivalent amount of acorn mast.

I am a turkey hunting enthusiast. My first published article was a poignant piece on my last hunt with my grandfather (see the 25^th Anniversary Edition of Turkey Call Magazine). A comeback for the high protein chestnut would be a huge boon to the North American Wild Turkey. On years when the acorn crop is down, turkey and deer would have a secondary high energy food source.

No matter whether you choose an American Chestnut seedling or some other tree species, tree planting is a beneficial contribution individuals can make to the environment. My sister and I can enjoy outings to plant trees together and both come away feeling satisfied that we have done something beneficial in the process.