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​​​Benefits of Planting Your Earth Day Seedlings

If you attended the Earth Day event at the Bethesda Campus back in late April, you may have gotten one of the 400 Northern Red Oak or Norway Spruce seedlings from our seedling giveaway. Now, a little more than a month later, your seedling likely looks about the same. Despite their small size, your seedling will make a big impact over its lifetime.

In urban settings, coniferous seedlings (like the Spruce) sequester 23 lbs. of carbon on average during a decade of growth, and deciduous seedlings (like the Red Oak) sequester 38 lbs. during that same period.¹ As they grow, trees absorb carbon (as carbon dioxide) and air pollution, serving to improve overall air quality.² They even improve water quality by absorbing stormwater runoff as well.³ Trees are particularly impactful in urban areas, where stormwater runoff in conjunction with sea level rise can contribute to increased flooding.

Trees can have growth rates anywhere from below 12 inches per year to above 24 inches per year and may reach maturity at under 10 feet or well over 60 feet.⁴ These rates and sizes change depending on the type of tree you procure and its growth conditions. Northern Red Oak seedlings grow at a very fast rate, more than 24 inches per year, reaching a height of up to 75 feet and a spread of around 45 feet in maturity.⁵ Norway Spruce seedlings grow at a rate of 13-24 inches per year, getting up to 60 feet tall and with 30 feet of spread.⁶

Not only can trees improve the greater environment, but they have several local, palpable benefits once they reach maturity. Depending on the type of tree and location it is planted, it can produce enough shade to naturally cool areas of your house and reduce energy bills.⁷ This shade can also support wildlife habitats, mushrooms, herbs and berries. Oak trees (the Northern Red Oak included) produce acorns which can be made into flour.⁸ Trees can also block wind (the Norway Spruce is particularly good at this), increase property value and decrease stress.^6,7

If you received your seedlings from our Earth Day event, they may take a while to get to a good planting height and even longer to start producing some of the tangible benefits described above. But across their lifetimes, they will have an undeniable positive impact on your local area and the greater environment. Good luck and happy growing!

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NIH Recipients of an FY2022 HHS Green Champion Award​​​ Recipients from the NIH earned 13 Green Champion awards for their efforts during FY2022. Please take a moment to read about the many green projects from the NIH! LEA​RN MORE​​​​

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Sea Level Rise​ ​ ​​Sea level rise is one of the significant impacts caused by climate change. Why exactly is the sea level rising and how could this affect the NIH? LEARN MORE

NEMS Training                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
Did you know? ​The increased frequency and intensity of flooding due to sea level rise is a threat to continuity of operations at the NIH. To learn more about climate change and its impact on the NIH​, please visit the NEMS Training webpage to view a short (20 minute) NIH environmental awareness training video.