In an innovative initiative, Arborists in Detroit are transforming vacant lots into a small urban forest with giant sequoias, the world's largest trees. This project aims to replace urban blight, enhance air quality, and help ensure the survival of sequoias native to California's Sierra Nevada. With support from nonprofits Archangel Ancient Tree Archive and Arboretum Detroit, dozens of sequoia saplings will be planted for Earth Day. Sequoias are resilient but face increased wildfire threats due to climate change, underscoring the importance of this restoration effort.
Arborists are turning vacant land on Detroit's eastside into a small urban forest, not of elms, oaks and red maples indigenous to the city but giant sequoias, the world's largest trees that can live for thousands of years.
The project on four lots will not only replace long-standing blight with majestic trees, but could also improve air quality and help preserve the trees that are native to California's Sierra Nevada.
'Here's a tree that is bigger than your house when it's mature, taller than your buildings, and lives longer than you can comprehend,' said Andrew 'Birch' Kemp, Arboretum Detroit's executive director.
'The fires are getting so hot that it's even threatening them,' he said, highlighting the challenges posed by climate change to giant sequoias.
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