The Sierra Star Logo

Almond trees vs. forest trees: the fight of the century | Sierra Star

×
HOME SUBSCRIBE
  • E-edition
    • All News
    • Local News
    • Obituaries
    • Crime
    • Education
    • Weather
    • Submit a News Tip
    • All Living
    • Entertainment
  • Sports
    • All Opinion
    • Letters to the Editor
    • Submit a Letter
    • Classifieds
    • Cars
    • Jobs
    • Homes
    • Apartments
    • Placead
    • Legals
  • Webcams
  • Archives
  • Customer Service

Opinion

Almond trees vs. forest trees: the fight of the century

Madera County District 2 Supervisor David Rogers - Guest Commentary

    ORDER REPRINT →

July 01, 2015 07:34 AM

The seemingly rampant vilification of almonds and almond production methods is more than just a bit puzzling to me. It appears that most who have expressed such angst are conveniently ignoring all of the positive aspects of almonds while greatly exaggerating the negative.

The most obvious benefit of almond production is the access it provides to an excellent source of fiber, protein and Omega-3 fatty acids. Of course, almond trees - just like any other food source - require water. Complaining over a necessary aspect of almond production, while conveniently ignoring all of the benefits, is simply foolish.

It is valuable to keep things in perspective. A single acre of trees produces oxygen at a level equal to the consumption needs of eight people per day while also clearing pollutants from the air. In fact, a single tree is capable of enough NOx uptake to offset the NOx emitted by an automobile driven 3,600 miles. While these numbers are not necessarily specific to almond trees, all trees produce oxygen and absorb pollutants, giving almond production benefits beyond just the access to a food source that many consider to be among the healthiest available.

As it relates to water usage, there are other issues that should first be addressed before vilifying the almond. The Western forests, including those in the Sierra Nevada, are overly dense with trees that cannot be logged due to environmental laws, and do not serve as a source of food.

These forests contain nearly 200 more trees per acre than a century ago, and this increased tree density is responsible for the loss of a conservatively estimated 17 million acre-feet of water per year, which is significant enough that it could meet the needs of everyone in California for a year.

While these trees –- like all others –- produce oxygen and absorb pollutants, they also serve as fuel for wildfires and have a tremendous environmental impact on indigenous plants and animal species.

So while almond trees consume water but generate tremendous positive benefits, the overly dense forests in the Sierra Nevada are adversely affecting the watershed - the new tree canopy alone keeps up to 30%of the precipitation from ever seeping into the ground - while also serving as fuel for disastrous forest fires.

These forest fires are highly destructive, costly to fight and pollute the air at a shocking rate, and yet the focus of so many remains on almond production.

When evaluating anything, it is vital that all sides of the issue are analyzed before arriving at a position. A balanced approach is ideal, and that means we need to do a better job investigating the many factors involved in water consumption before vilifying the almond entirely.

To ignore the impact of the overly dense Western forests while complaining about the water consumption required for almond production is simply irresponsible.

  Comments  

Videos

President-elect Trump shares his policy plans, updates on transition

Eye on Education: What does Prop. 58 mean for Fresno schools?

View More Video

Read Next

Dr. Bill Atwood

A liberal and a conservative meet

By Dr. Bill Atwood Special to the Sierra Star

    ORDER REPRINT →

February 12, 2019 10:04 AM

Dr. Bill Atwood represents a conservative voice in the Sierra Star of Oakhurst, CA. In his latest column, he describes a conversation he had while getting a little help from a new friend.

KEEP READING

MORE OPINION

Happy Valentine’s Day, a brief history. And why Tom McClintock is brilliantly behind the times

Peter Cavanaugh

Happy Valentine’s Day, a brief history. And why Tom McClintock is brilliantly behind the times

February 12, 2019 09:55 AM
The FBI and the ridiculous show of force arresting Roger Stone

Dr. Bill Atwood

The FBI and the ridiculous show of force arresting Roger Stone

February 05, 2019 09:39 AM
Roger Stone: Delightfully diabolical?

Peter Cavanaugh

Roger Stone: Delightfully diabolical?

January 31, 2019 10:24 AM

Dr. Bill Atwood

We deserve better

January 31, 2019 10:24 AM
Karen Pence is going back to school to teach, and mainstream media has a field day

Dr. Bill Atwood

Karen Pence is going back to school to teach, and mainstream media has a field day

January 21, 2019 11:26 AM
An appreciation for the man who ‘invented’ television, Ernie Kovacs

Peter Cavanaugh

An appreciation for the man who ‘invented’ television, Ernie Kovacs

January 20, 2019 10:53 AM
Take Us With You

Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand.

Icon for mobile apps

Sierra Star App

Subscriptions
  • Digital & Home Subscriptions
  • Digital Replica Edition
Learn More
  • Archives
  • Customer Service
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
Advertising
  • Advertise
  • Place an Ad
Copyright
Privacy Policy
Terms of Service


Back to Story