Utah declares “Trees are the enemy,” and crafts plan to burn or chop down millions of trees, as the only remaining option to address record droughts in the state
Trees prevent soil erosion, excessive water runoff, and release any water that is absorbed back into the atmosphere, causing rain to fall somewhere else. They raise the humidity level of the atmosphere, not to mention producing oxygen (for us to breathe) and taking in carbon dioxide. Trees also moderate the temperature, reducing high temperatures during summer, so there is less water evaporation from the ground and open water in surrounding areas.
Trees also provide wood for lumber and food for wildlife.
“But he pointed out that 42% of snow that falls on conifers remains on the branches and is lost, and those trees can grow a foot a year.” Does anyone know what this means. Is he implying that snow never melts or falls to the ground and is just going to sit eternally on top of the trees? Where is the snow lost to?
No one actually read the article I guess. The snow supervisor stated that conifer trees are 200 per acre whereas at 1900 there were 10 to 20 per acre. The conifer branches don’t allow the snow to reach the ground and most is absorbed instead of hitting the ground. The snow fall won’t support that many and all of them are weakened and millions die as a result. He stated it is not the amount of trees, it is the species that is damaging the forest.
TILTNSTACK says
Them trees be drinking our water. We don’t take kindly to that around here.
The stupid. It hurts
CoveyIsHere says
This sounds like a Texas thing to say. Utah is officially Diet Texas.
EpitomeJim says
Going for Dustbowl 2.0 I see.
SaltyBarDog says
“Trees cause more pollution than automobiles do.“
-Saint Jellybeans
Pastel_Phoenix_106 says
Leaving us only to ponder how the oxygen drought started….
Seriously, this is some Spaceballs energy right here.
EightandaHalf-Tails says
People from Utah: We need to build and water cities in the middle of a literal desert.
Also People from Utah: Trees are taking all our water!
Nanyea says
They do know that it’s moreso an issue with their aquifers …. And this is going to turn them into a desert …right … Is there a scientist in the room?
platanthera_ciliaris says
Trees prevent soil erosion, excessive water runoff, and release any water that is absorbed back into the atmosphere, causing rain to fall somewhere else. They raise the humidity level of the atmosphere, not to mention producing oxygen (for us to breathe) and taking in carbon dioxide. Trees also moderate the temperature, reducing high temperatures during summer, so there is less water evaporation from the ground and open water in surrounding areas.
Trees also provide wood for lumber and food for wildlife.
ElDoo74 says
Look how well this worked in Greece and the Sahara.
Muppet_Cartel says
Utah often has some of the worst air quality in the world. Losing the trees will be a short term problem leading to a long term travesty.
PattersonsOlady says
But trees have been scientifically proven to generate more rain
Oh that’s right … science
OmegaMountain says
Mormons… They sure do love their crazy…
dlrdlrdlr says
“But he pointed out that 42% of snow that falls on conifers remains on the branches and is lost, and those trees can grow a foot a year.” Does anyone know what this means. Is he implying that snow never melts or falls to the ground and is just going to sit eternally on top of the trees? Where is the snow lost to?
iwant2dollars says
Weirdly, even though the quote is real, the title is somewhat misleading. Another quote says the problem isn’t the number of trees but the type.
BTExp says
No one actually read the article I guess. The snow supervisor stated that conifer trees are 200 per acre whereas at 1900 there were 10 to 20 per acre. The conifer branches don’t allow the snow to reach the ground and most is absorbed instead of hitting the ground. The snow fall won’t support that many and all of them are weakened and millions die as a result. He stated it is not the amount of trees, it is the species that is damaging the forest.