Study proves: Conifers filter fine dust particularly well

An enormous contamination from fine dust prevails in the urban congested areas. This endangers our health, and is, above all, a burden for the respiratory tract and can aggravate existing asthma problems. Maybe there is no remedy for these aggressive particles, but according to research, fully grown urban trees help.

Avenue trees of the future? Conifers such as Pinus sylvestris could be a new super weapon against fine dust in our towns and cities

Using London as an example, a current study by the University of Southampton has found out that the trees in London’s metropolis region filter up to 2,100 tons of fine dust out of the air annually. Professor Gail Taylor, who took part in the study, explains “Trees have developed the capability to remove CO2 from the atmosphere. Therefore, it is not surprising that they can also bind harmful substances from the air.” And, in simple words, this is how it works: The fine dust is deposited on the leaves and is washed down into the soil by the next rainfall. Trees which keep their leaves throughout the year are exposed to more pollution and can therefore absorb more. Thus, evergreen conifers are particularly effective fine dust neutralizers.

In keeping with this, the researchers from London’s GLA recommend that the emphasis should be placed upon evergreen conifers such as Quercus ilex (Holly Oak) und Pinus pinea (Stone Pine) when planning the planting of new trees. In addition, these should stand as close as possible to sources of pollution such as the main roads, in order to develop their full cleansing effect optimally. Naturally, the frost-hardy candidates from the genera Pinus, Taxus and Thuja are also available for the large cities in Germany.

Conifers as avenue trees at the roadside - this is, up to now, still a relatively unusual sight in the large cities of Germany. However, after this study this could soon change.

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