by InTrieste
The city of Trieste is joining a European-wide initiative to raise awareness about the value of urban trees. As part of the TREETAG campaign, selected trees across Europe, including those in Trieste, will be adorned with special “TreeTags” that detail the environmental benefits they provide, such as carbon absorption and oxygen production.
On Thursday, September 19, several countries, including Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Portugal, will take part in a synchronized effort to emphasize the ecological and social importance of trees. The initiative, driven by Fitoconsult Srl, an environmental consultancy, aims to shed light on the role trees play in urban sustainability, public health, and overall quality of life.
A Collaborative Effort Across Europe
In a growing effort to address climate change and urban sustainability, the TREETAG initiative has brought together nine European nations to collectively promote the indispensable role of trees in city life. The initiative encourages city officials, local communities, and everyday citizens to recognize trees not only for their aesthetic appeal but for the essential services they provide.
Urban trees offer a range of benefits, from improving air quality to enhancing mental health, experts say. As cities across the globe grapple with issues like air pollution, rising temperatures, and the mental health impact of increasingly dense urban living, trees have emerged as low-cost, high-impact solutions.
“Urban trees aren’t just decorative,” said an official from the Municipality of Trieste. “They’re critical for the environment and the well-being of city dwellers. Every tree is a silent, but essential, partner in our fight for more sustainable cities.”
What Is a TreeTag?
The TreeTags themselves are large, A3-sized labels made from sustainable materials, detailing the specific contributions each tree makes. Using data processed by the U.S.-developed software I-Tree, each tag will display information about how much carbon dioxide the tree absorbs, how much oxygen it produces, and other ecosystem services it provides. The initiative’s goal is to inform and inspire by putting tangible data in the hands of citizens.
The trees chosen for tagging in Trieste include four monumental trees in highly trafficked areas of the city. These include a monumental hackberry in Piazza Hortis and a towering horse chestnut in Giardino Tommasini.
Challenges in Trieste
Though cities across Europe will be rolling out TreeTags on September 19 in a coordinated effort, Trieste will delay its participation due to forecasted strong winds, known locally as the “bora.” The city will instead install its TreeTags starting on September 24, with a special event planned at Piazza Hortis, where local residents are invited to gather and celebrate one of Trieste’s iconic trees.
While the delay is an inconvenience, officials believe it highlights the very environmental volatility that underscores the need for this campaign.
Looking Ahead
Despite the setback, Trieste’s five chosen trees, including a monumental plane tree at Viale XX Settembre and Via Tipaldo Xydias, will soon be outfitted with TreeTags, joining the international effort to spotlight these unsung urban heroes.
On September 24, citizens are invited to gather at 9 a.m. in Piazza Hortis to witness the ceremonial tagging of Trieste’s monumental hackberry tree, an event organizers hope will inspire a deeper connection between city dwellers and their urban environment.
