National Tree Day: a commitment to the future

National Tree Day was officially established with Law no. 10 of January 14, 2013, by the Ministry of the Environment, but its roots go back much further in time. In fact, the first “Tree Day” was celebrated in 1989 on the initiative of Guido Baccelli, then Minister of Education.

The goal of this day is clear: to raise awareness of the fundamental role of forests and trees in the fight against climate change, in protecting biodiversity and in the quality of life. It is also an opportunity to promote concrete actions such as reforestation and urban greening.

Institutional communication campaign implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry (MASAF),

The state of trees in Italy

Despite the importance of trees, our country still suffers from a lack of green areas, especially in large cities. In recent years, there has been a progressive increase in land consumption and a reduction in forests. However, there are increasingly numerous initiatives aimed at reforesting the territory and creating new urban green spaces.

According to ISTAT statistics from the 2023 Urban Environment Report, in the provincial capitals, where 30% of the Italian population lives (17.6 million inhabitants), urban green represents an average of 2.9% of the territory (572 km2), equal to 32.5 m2 per inhabitant with a total area of green areas increasing on average by 0.3% per year since 2011 (+0.6% per year in metropolitan capitals).

Furthermore, urban forestry interventions have been carried out in 55 provincial capitals (there were 30 in 2011), covering 12.7 million m2, corresponding to 34 m2 per hectare of urbanized area.

Compared to 2011, the area dedicated to urban forestry has been progressively increasing by +22.2%.

The importance of trees for humans and the environment

Trees are not simply elements of the landscape, but perform vital functions for the environment and human well-being.

Stabilize the soil: tree roots penetrate deep into the soil, helping to consolidate it and prevent the risk of landslides and mudslides. This function is crucial in a country like Italy, where over 90% of municipalities are at risk of hydrogeological instability.

Increase soil permeability, promoting the absorption of rainwater and helping to mitigate the effects of floods and flash floods, phenomena that are becoming increasingly frequent due to climate change.

Purify the air: each adult tree can absorb up to 22 kg of carbon dioxide per year and filter pollutants such as fine dust and ozone, improving its quality.

Attenuate noise and reduce heat. Trees act as a natural barrier against urban noise and help to reduce the heat island effect, lowering temperatures in cities during summer heat waves.

Protect biodiversity as they host a large number of animal and plant species.

Improve the quality of life, helping to improve people’s psychological well-being by reducing stress and increasing a sense of well-being.

What can we do?

Protecting trees is a collective responsibility, but also an opportunity for each of us to make a difference. Even small gestures can lead to great results.

Here are some concrete actions:

• Plant a tree. Whether it’s in your home garden, in a public park or through reforestation programs, every tree counts.
• Support local initiatives. Participate or donate to projects for the protection of urban green spaces and forests.
• Respect green areas. Do not litter and do not damage plants.
• Educate and raise awareness. Share the importance of trees with friends and family, especially with children.

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