Trees That Absorb the Most Carbon Dioxide

Trembesi trees absorb the highest carbon dioxide
Trembesi trees absorb the highest carbon dioxide
Trembesi trees. Photo: V. Arnila Wulandani

This November, the world celebrates World Tree Day on November 21st to commemorate the great service of trees for all living beings on earth.  

As we know, trees have a significant role in supporting life on earth. Trees not only provide water, home, food, and oxygen which are essential things to live. More broadly, trees have made a great contribution combating climate change. With their ability to sequester and store carbon dioxide, trees keep the stability of the world’s climate. Without trees, probably the earth will only be a lifeless planet.  

Several species of that have immense abilities to sequester a vast amount of carbon dioxide and make a major contribution to life on earth. Some of the tree also can be found in Indonesia. Let us find out what trees absorb the most carbon dioxide!

Trembesi Tree (Samanea saman) 

Local people call this tree species Ki Hujan or pohon hujan which means rain tree. The trembesi tree has an exceptionally large canopy like a giant umbrella. The width of each tree canopy can reach 30 meters. It originates from South America but then spread over tropical countries, including Indonesia.  

Trembesi is more popular as a rain tree due to the water drips from the leaves. In their natural habitat, trembesi tree act as shade tree. Compared to other tree species, a Trembesi tree could absorb a vaster amount of carbon dioxide (CO2), reaching 28,5 tons per year.  

Read also: Indonesian Forest, One of The Largest in the World 

Cassia Tree (Cassia sp.)  

Cassia tree absorbs vast amount of carbon dioxide.
Cassia tree. Photo: wikipedia.

The cassia tree is included in leguminous species. They have beautiful colored flowers such as pink, peach, mauve, and orange. Therefore, they are widely used as ornamental garden trees. Cassia trees can reach 15 meters in height. Several types of cassia trees are also often to be used for reforestation and to combat desertification. Each cassia tree has the ability to absorb at least 5,3 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) per year. 

Beringin or Banyan Tree (Ficus benjamina) 

Beringin or banyan tree, synonymous as a haunted tree which has a great benefit for environment.
Beringin or banyan tree, synonymous as a haunted tree which has a great benefit for environment. Photo: Wikipedia.

Although in Indonesia it is known as a haunted tree and synonymous with mystical things, the beringin or banyan tree has extraordinary benefits for the environment. The tree has a high ability to absorb and store water. They also have hanging roots from the branches as their respiration system.
The height of a banyan tree can reach 15 to 25 meters and its age can reach hundred years. In absorbing carbon dioxide, one banyan tree can absorb around 540 kilograms of carbon dioxide (CO2) per year. 

Trees Matoa (Pometia pinnata)  

Matoa tree or pometia pinnata, Papuan tree which absorbs a lot of CO2.
Matoa tree or pometia pinnata, Papuan tree which absorbs a lot of CO2. Photo: Wikipedia.

The matoa tree originates from Papua. The tree can be found in almost all of the lowlands on Papua island. However, this tree species has spread to other areas such as Sulawesi, Maluku, to Java. The height of a Matoa tree is 18 meters on average but can reach up to 50 meters. Matoa fruit has a round oval shape and it has sweet taste. Each matoa tree can absorb around 330 kg of carbon dioxide (CO2) per year. 

Mahoni or Mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla) 

Mahogany tree
Mahogany tree. Photo: Wikipedia.

The origin of mahogany trees is from Central America and South America. The tree can reach 35 meters in height with a diameter of up to 125 centimeters. The mahogany trees act as shade trees in their natural habitat.  However, they are also well-known for their good ability in storing groundwater. Mahogany trees can absorb up to 296 kilograms of carbon dioxide (CO2) per year. 

 

 

 

 

 

Source: antara news, dpmg banda aceh portal kabupaten bangka , jurnal asia, muspera mlhk

Trees4Trees Collaborates with BRIN to Strengthen Program Effectiveness

Trees4Trees collaborates with BRIN to strengthen reforestation program effectiveness_1

Trees4Trees collaborates with BRIN to strengthen reforestation program effectiveness_1

Trees4Trees Collaborates and the National Research and Innovation Agency of Indonesia (BRIN) are establishing a collaboration to accelerate the development of Trees4Trees programs related to research, education, and community service. The project will reinforce all Trees4Trees programs and will be rolled out in the Citarum watershed reforestation program funded by AstraZeneca Forests and One Tree Planted.  

Through the guidance and training from professional forestry experts and researchers of BRIN, it is hoped that Trees4Trees programs can create a greater impact in the local communities and environment and also contribute real world research results of BRIN’s innovation goals. 

Trees4Trees collaborates with BRIN to strengthen reforestation program effectiveness_2

Trees4Trees Collaborates is in its Early Stage 

Currently, the collaboration is in its early stages. It started by holding a training session conducted by BRIN last month. A four-day training was held at Trees4Trees Arjasari, Bandung Regency, and attended by Trees4Trees technical officers, and Field Coordinators.  

As part of the event, the BRIN team visited T4T tree-planting sites at local farmers’ fields to review and evaluate the agroforestry and conservation cropping patterns that had been applied. The team also recorded data on tree growth and pests found on the young trees. In addition to the discovery event, the team also visited impact measurement locations and seedling nurseries.  

Trees4Trees collaborates with BRIN to strengthen reforestation program effectiveness_3

Advancing Trees4Trees program development 

The project is expected to advance the success of eight aspects of the Trees4Trees’ program development; agroforestry demonstration plots, conservation demonstration plots, pest control, organic fertilizer and pesticide production, environmental impacts, social impacts, nursery and seedlings production training, and development of mangrove rehabilitation. 

“Currently, Trees4Trees is running a program for rehabilitation of critical areas working with local communities around Citarum watershed. To strengthen this program, Trees4Trees initiated research collaboration with BRIN which is the most relevant institution that can support this program development. In the early stages of the collaboration, starting with agroforestry plot research and research on social and ecological impacts, it is expected that the collaboration can provide great benefits,” Anto Wartono, Forestry Planning Manager of Trees4Trees commented.  

Author: V. Arnila Wulandani

Photos: Kemas Duga Muis

Planting One Hundred Trees with Students and Villagers in Kalibeji Village

Planting one hundred trees in kalibeji village kebumen

Planting one hundred trees in kalibeji village kebumen

Trees4Trees Kebumen area collaborated with Soedirman University students in a tree planting activity last July 30, 2022. This tree planting activity was conducted in Kalibeji Village. It is located in Sempor District, Kebumen Regency. This activity did not only involve Soedirman University students who were undergoing Kuliah Kerja Nyata (KKN) program or Community Service Program, but also villagers of Kalibeji Village. 

One thousand trees in total were planted on an area of 5.000 m2 owned by villagers. The planting location was determined due to the area lack of trees cover. Villagers of Kalibeji hoped that by planting more trees, the environment around the area would be greener, lusher, and denser.  

Planting One Hundred Trees with Sudirman University in Kalibeji Village Kebumen

This activity itself was one of the real actions that aimed to educate communities about the importance of environmental restoration. It is also expected to contribute to improving the livelihoods of villagers in the future through the results from trees planted.

After planting, periodic monitoring will be carried out to ensure trees can survive and grow well. Meanwhile, the results from these trees later can be harvested by villagers and can be used to meet their needs.  

The types of trees planted in the activity included 500 suren trees (toona sureni), 90 teak trees, 100 durian trees, 190 kelengkeng trees (longan), 80 petai trees (bitter beans), and 40 duku trees.  

Planting One Hundred Trees with Sudirman University in Kalibeji Village Kebumen

“All trees planted came from the Trees4Trees Kebumen nursery and were given away free of charge. The trees are planted on villagers’ lands that lacked tree cover. We initiated this activity with Soedirman University students who were undergoing the KKN program (Community Service Program) because their program has the same vision and mission as what we do which aimed at reforestation and supporting villagers. That is why we agreed to collaborate with each other to conduct this tree planting activity,” said Faris Ardika, Unit Manager of Trees4Trees Kebumen area.  

It is also hoped that by conducting tree planting activity which involved various levels of society from students to villagers, it will emerge more awareness and initiative to wider communities to do tree replanting on critical lands.

Author: V. Arnila Wulandani

500 Trees of Jambu Deli Madu for Ketitang, Central Java

PT Cargill Indonesia Branch Purwodadi once again shows their commitment in taking care environment surrounds. It started in Ketitang Village, Godong, Grobogan District, where their factory is located. Last year in 2016, 1000 Mahogany were planted alongside the main street of the village. This year, Cargill team wanted for something different with more impacts and personal.

It is always an interesting journey to finally decide fruit trees to be planted in Ketitang between Cargill and Trees4Trees. Fruit trees chosen is Jambu Deli Madu (Syzygium aqueum), the height is up to 4 meters, the fruit colour is green, watery and bigger than another normal Jambu fruits. The fruits of Jambu Deli Madu is still on high demand since it is one of the sweetest Jambu variety, Madu refers to honey that describe the taste.
500 trees of Jambu Deli Madu planted in Ketitang is welcomed by community and the head of the village. During ceremony, Wage Setyono Head of Ketitang, said “This trees give to us, we really appreciate this. Last year we received 1000trees of Mahogany, and this time Jambu Deli Madu. It is good for us to start educating ourselves about caring the environment. I believe this will teach us to participate creating comfortable place to live. I believe when we treat the environment right, they will treat us right back too, and the fruits this time has economy impacts”.

Same statement also came from Rudy Setiarachman of PT. Cargill Indonesia Branch Purwodadi representative, he said that through CSR they really want to show their care seriously, not only some regular activity. The ceremony of Jambu Deli Madu trees planting was held in March 9th 2017, attended by Head of Ketitang Village Wage Setyawan, official government of Grobogan district representative Joko Supriyanto, and another official governments of Grobogan district.
500 trees of Jambu Deli Madu are planted in all streets possible, in 2 sub-villages of Ketitang: Ketitang and Nunjungan. 300 trees are planted in Ketitang sub-village in 5 areas and the rest are planted in Nunjungan sub-village in 3 areas.