Trees are helping to tackle climate change by keeping us cool

Amidst the latest heatwave, we have been discussing just how great trees are at tackling climate change whilst keeping us cool when temperatures go up.

Local warming

If you live in a built-up area, the temperature will be noticeably higher than those of us that live in more rural areas. This is because built-up areas hold, generate and store more heat, also known as local warming.

Hot across the pond

If you think it’s warm here in the UK, in cities across the USA temperatures are rising at almost twice the rate as the rest of the planet. It’s one of the many worrying effects of climate change. The rising temperatures pose a serious health risk, especially to the vulnerable, elderly and young. Las Vegas, Phoenix and cities in the Southwest are America’s fastest warming cities, becoming 4.3°F hotter since the 1970’s. It’s clear that action is needed, and planting trees could be a simple and sustainable solution.

Urban trees

Research has shown that planting trees in urban areas can reduce the temperature by 10 degrees centigrade. That can make a big difference on a balmy summer day in the city.

By planting healthy urban trees, water vapour will be naturally released in the process of evapotranspiration giving a vital cooling effect. Larger trees with big leaves, of course, provide the best cooling results. While the leaves absorb and reflect solar radiation, we are left with cooler and more humid shade under their protective canopy.

Cutting CO2

As well as helping to keep us cool, planting trees worldwide is one of the most effective ways of taking CO2 out of the atmosphere, thus helping to tackle climate change even further.

How? As trees grow, they absorb and store the carbon emissions that are driving global warming. As a result, the entire woodland Ecosystem plays a considerable role in locking up carbon. A young woodland can absorb over 400 tons of carbon per hectare, including the soil, leaves, and roots.

Trees are our most potent weapon against climate change. They’re more than just carbon capturers.

It’s not all about capturing carbon and cooling us down. Trees have other superpowers, including:

  • Flood prevention
  • Reduce air pollution
  • Keep soil nutrient-rich
  • Reduce city temperatures

Trees matter more than ever

For many people, trees are still undervalued as a climate solution. We need to stop thinking of trees as an amenity. Instead, they need to become part of our infrastructure the same way as roads and sewers are. They are vital in our fight against climate change. Especially in our cities, they can help reduce air temperature and pollution, keeping us cooler and more comfortable.

If you are interested in finding out more, there is a document that has been published by Forest research that explains the role of urban trees and green spaces in reducing the air temperature.

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How trees help with climate change

Ask Joe! Expert industry advice

Unsure which timer is best for your project?

Our timber experts have years of experience and will be able to match the perfect species to your project, as well as provide a quote for sustainable timber at highly competitive prices.

Frequently asked questions

Do you supply timber for domestic uses?

Yes, we supply timber for domestic applications as well as commercial and public constructions. From garden decking to shed cladding, we will be happy to supply smaller deliveries for home use.

Is your timber FSC-certified?

Yes, all timber we supply is FSC or PEFC certified and sourced from independently verified responsibly managed forests. If we can’t find your request in FSC/PEFC certified timber we’ll suggest an alternative that is certified or clearly note that the offer is minimum EUTR.

Where does EcoChoice deliver to?

EcoChoice delivers to construction sites, warehouses and homes across the UK, as long as there’s access and unloading for our trucks.

What are the best timber species for exterior use?

There are many different timber species suitable for exterior use and which is the best for your project depends on your requirements. In general, though, we recommend EkkiGreenheartOpepe and Oak for heavier civil/marine uses. For intermediary external use such as decking, where the timber needs to be both strong and durable but not on the same level as civil engineering (bridgespiling, etc) we usually supply CumaruIpe, Jatoba, and Balau. And for the lighter exterior use where the timber is non-structural such as cladding, we deliver CedarLarchThermowood and others.

Which timber is the most durable?

Durability Class 1 timbers are the most durable. This of course depends on the use (hazard) class they’ll be in service for. For direct ground and water contact such as sleepers, fenders, marine piling, etc, Ekki and Greenheart are known to be the most durable timbers available. For decking and cladding where there’s no direct ground contact (use class 3) there’s a much wider range of timbers such Larch, Cedar, Thermo modified Pine or Ash and others.

What’s the best timber for internal cladding?

Internal cladding, where your timber is not in ground and not exposed to the elements can be classed as either use-class 1 or 2 – in which case most timbers will meet this durability criteria. That is not to say they’ll be the best, since internal environments have lower humidity (moisture) levels than outside. So in these cases, it’s best to go for a kiln-dried timber cladding board as these are more stable and delivered already in lower MC (moisture content) than the usual fresh sawn timbers sent to external applications. A word of caution – as timber reacts to variations in moisture, it’s best to avoid cladding any areas inside your bathroom.

How can I make decking less slippery?

The first thing is to ensure your deck boards are kept clean from leaves and other debris which will, over time, cover the surface and make it more slippery. Grooved boards can be used to improve grip if installed and used perpendicular to traffic, so especially useful in narrow passages and footbridges. Lastly, you can add our Grip-Choice strips: these are a mix of epoxy with aggregates that add gripping ridges to your deck area. Gripchoice is an easy way to make decking less slippery and safer, especially over large areas or where there’s high traffic. We can pre-install Grip-Choice strips for your decking before delivery or ship the strips separately to add to your existing deck’s grooves as a retro-fit solution.

What wood machining services do you offer?

We can offer planing, sawing, drilling and profiling of rough-sawn wood to any profile you require: from handrails to large port fenders.

Can you supply pre-drilled timber?

Yes, we will be happy to provide pre-drilled timber which is tailored to your needs for quick installation, thus saving you valuable time on site.

What cladding profiles do you supply?

We provide a wide range of cladding profiles, including tongue and groove, featheredge and shiplap. You can check the standard profiles here – but we can also match or custom make profiles to suit your specific needs.

Does timber change colour?

Yes, timber is well-known for changing colour over time. Some species can darken quickly right after installation, and like most untreated wood will eventually weather to a beautiful silver-grey. Interior timber is less likely to change colour (depending on conditions), and timber can be stained, painted or treated with UV-resistant oils to reduce colour change.

Do I need to treat exterior timber?

Some timbers such as Oak and Ekki, can withstand the strains of exterior use without any treatment. However, to extend the lifespan and maintain the aesthetic of your wood, we do recommend treating your timber with stains and oils. Pre-treated timber, such as ThermoWood and OrganoWood, are low-maintenance options which are more durable, but can have their life service extended by applying a clean and stain maintenance schedule.

Do I need to treat interior timber?

Depends on what area the timber is being used. For floor joists and timber rafters, it is common to see timber treated, or least very well kiln-dried. Other uses such as flooring may benefit from varnishing while internal timber cladding for decorative purposes shouldn’t require any treatment other than if you want to change its colour with different types of stains or oils.

Where are you based?

We’re based in Cambridge, UK, and coordinate multiple sawmills all over the world to manufacture your order. We then organise delivery with a range of hauliers so that your orders gets to your site on time.

What are the usual decking sizes?

Timber decking is usually 21x140mm or similar. For heavier applications where there’s more load and traffic, we deliver 35 or 45mm thick boards (such as Hastings Pier). Narrower boards are also possible: 95-90mm is a standard width – but we can manufacture whatever size you require.

What are the usual cladding sizes?

Typical cladding section sizes are 18×95 and 18x145mm although we can always custom make a section to suit your project’s design requirements. That includes waney edge boards in Oak or Chestnut as well as extra wide 195mm boards.

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Good quality, great service, fast delivery!

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Marinella Li

Always helpful! One of our valued TDCA DeckMark and CladMark accredited supplier members which means their quality procedures are routinely audited and stand up to scrutiny giving you extra peace of mind.

5

Janet Sycamore

Having needed the supply of cladding, decking boards and other specified timbers through out the year Eco choice have been very helpful in sourcing the specified timbers and quantities required at a very competitive price.

5

Tim Saunders

Great quality, service and price. A pleasure to deal with. I would highly recommend Eco Choice.

5

Emma Hurrell

Fantastic company- Mike and the team are the best in the business- worked with them for many years.

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Always reliable and quality products, easy to deal with company.

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Nicola Edmead

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Great service, quality products and very easy to deal with. Thank you.

Malcolm Coury

  • 6 years ago

Fantastic company- Mike and the team are the best in the business- worked with them for many years.

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  • 9 years ago

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