In Cuba, we live under a constant heat wave, a scorching heat that exhausts us just from breathing the humid air, that steam that makes us feel soaked and uncomfortable day and night even if we wear little clothing, are in the shade, shower frequently, or drink a gallon of water.

When it rains, and if it's enough and late enough so that the sun doesn't warm every surface again, it's refreshing. But sometimes days go by without a single drop falling, and that's when we want to pray to all that’s holy and even dance the areito to invoke Zeus, also the god of rain, or Chronos to speed up the worst months of the year and then slow things down when our winter arrives, which, while not as cold as in the season postcards, it allow us to at least sleep without getting the bed wet with sweat.

Then the problems would be all the others, but with lower temperatures, and that alone would make it bearable.

However, it's commonly believed that to fight the summer heat, all we need is air conditioning and plenty of water. This helps, of course, but it will still be hot outside, and economically, it's unsustainable to keep our Acs units on for 24 hours a day for months. Besides, there's our own circumstantial reality.

Above all, because there's little we can do to change the fact that it's as scorching as ever outside, we should consider an issue that seems extremely important not only for human beings but for all species and the environmental balance: deforestation.

No, it's not crazy; it’s directly related and nothing new. That's why it strikes me that so many people indiscriminately want to have the landscape devoid of vegetation beyond what fits in flowerpots. This behavior of deforesting the environment is completely ignorant and has many negative consequences, one of which is that the heat becomes even more unbearable.

Let's set aside for now everything that a tree represents—life itself—and focus on how it helps mitigate temperature, on its fundamental role in the climate, while we remember what our streets looked like just a few years ago and what they look like today.

At least on my street, where I live, there used to be seven trees just in the median strip, and now there are only two. It's true that they are huge ocuje trees, about twenty meters tall, with abundant foliage, and that during hurricane season I fear that one of them might fall on my roof with the wind force. It's also true that it bothers me that it's "the tree bar"—that's what they call it, and you can probably guess why—because in addition to the people who just make a racket, there's the loud, persistent music, the noise from cars and motorcycles parked there for mechanics to work on; it even serves as a dominoes stand and a blacksmith's workshop. All of this attracts vulgarity and a lot of trash, and although the trees aren't to blame, it's because of them that there's no peace and quiet, day or night.

However, it would never occur to me to support cutting them down to the ground, but I would agree that they should be pruned a little because electricity and telephone lines are tangled in their branches. Despite my displeasure with how my neighbors use them, I understand that these trees bring more benefits than drawbacks. That's why I'm so critical of the landscape becoming increasingly devoid of greenery, and I'm surprised that, with the heat we're experiencing, so many people insist on leaving their surroundings barren, when having a source of shade and a breeze nearby is so beneficial.

Urban development is not equal to absence of nature. This is true in every season, but in summer, trees are an ally because their shade protects life. When thermometers register a rise in Celsius, trees become one of the most valuable natural resources in cities because the shade they provide reduces the impact of heat, improves air quality, lowers the ambient temperature, and offers shelter to people, birds, insects, and other animals.

Excessive pruning is wrong, and even worse is the initiative to want to erase them completely. It's a practice strongly discouraged by specialists. Topping is a drastic intervention that removes a large part of a tree's crown under the belief that it prevents risks or promotes growth. The reality is quite different.

Experts say that leaves are the tree's "food factory." This means that through photosynthesis, they produce the energy necessary for its development, and by removing them, the tree effectively loses its ability to "feed" itself, weakens, and becomes more vulnerable to pests and diseases. That's why, in an attempt to regenerate, it produces new branches that can be fragile and prone to breakage.

Why do we say it's all gain in summer? Because the shade a tree casts can significantly reduce the temperature of the surface below or near it, whether sidewalks and houses are located.

This helps to lessen the effect of what are known as "urban heat islands." And that's not all; trees help save soil moisture, filter pollutants from the air, and release water vapor that cools the environment.

The benefits go far beyond human comfort. Trees are true ecosystems because they provide nesting sites for birds, food for pollinators like bees and butterflies, and habitat for diverse species that contribute to the natural balance of the surrounding area. Every unnecessary pruning during the breeding season can affect nests, shelters, and food sources.

This doesn't mean we should let them grow unchecked. Pruning should be done with the guidance of experts and always with respect for the biology of each location and season.

A different matter entirely is planting suitable trees in the city. With so many varieties available, we can easily choose the one best suited to each area. In areas like parks, almost any tree will do, but near buildings and streets, we should follow recommendations to avoid damaging infrastructure. Ignoring this aspect is why we see destroyed sidewalks and facades, damaged power lines, and damaged sewers. But is it the tree's fault? It's our responsibility.

Faced with indiscriminate felling or pruning, the best strategy is to plant more trees, with a plan. It's advisable to choose appropriate plants for each space to avoid future conflicts. In this way, we will be able to coexist with nature for a long time. It's not a matter of aesthetics; it's primarily about environmental health. It benefits us all.

We propose a modern urban management approach that prioritizes green spaces, favoring trees adapted to the local climate while also considering the potential size of their roots and canopies. Preventing this reduces maintenance costs and protects infrastructure and green heritage.

In a context of increasingly hot summers and extreme events associated with climate change, trees are no longer merely ornamental but indispensable. They are allies for our well-being as citizens and for the conservation of biodiversity.

We need more trees, not fewer. We want streets where we can walk in the shade, areas that are not only visual oases but also provide a refreshing atmosphere—in short, cities capable of supporting life. Planting trees is investing in the future of our communities.

Translated by Amilkal Labañino / CubaSí Translation Staff