Nature Skyscraper

In the late 1980s, when I was a college student in Lahore, Pakistan, summer days were very hot. The sun blazed down, and the air felt very heavy with heat. I used to ride my bicycle on a road along the canal, lined with many trees. When I reached the shade of these trees, a cool breeze greeted me, and everything felt different. Towering trees provided shade, their leaves rustling gently in the wind. I had never realized that trees in general, and tall trees in particular, are more than just green decorations—they are living, breathing superheroes that make our cities better places to live.

Over time came to understand the importance of trees in urban environments. They are not just about beauty; they are about life. With expansion of cities and rapid urbanization, trees are often overlooked, cut down, or replaced by concrete structures.

But why does their height specifically matter?

Green spaces don’t exist just to beautify urban areas. Trees are the lungs, liver and beating heart of the world’s cities, and they are fundamental to creating healthy, liveable and sustainable cities around the globe.

In cities, the height of a tree can tell us a fascinating story. Taller trees are older, wiser, and often healthier, providing substantial benefits compared to younger, shorter ones. Big trees serve as massive carbon sponges, absorbing carbon dioxide—the notorious gas that heats up our planet—helping cities combat climate change. Their large, sprawling canopies trap harmful pollutants and dust, literally cleaning the air we breathe every day. They also shield us from the harsh sun, cooling neighborhoods and reducing the “urban heat island” effect where concrete buildings and roads bake under the scorching sun.

But the importance of tall trees doesn’t stop there. They become homes and shelters to countless birds, insects, and small mammals, significantly boosting urban biodiversity. Taller trees also play a vital role in stormwater management. During heavy rainfall, their branches, leaves, and roots slow down and absorb water, significantly reducing the risk of flooding. In essence, trees of impressive heights become essential partners in urban planning, improving not just our physical environment, but also enhancing our mental and physical health.

Let’s now explore how tall trees are across five major cities in Pakistan—Islamabad, Lahore, Multan, Karachi, and Peshawar—and see how each city fares in its urban greenery.

🌳 Canopy Height Model (CHM) Data All the following images are based on Canopy Height Model (CHM) data from R package chmloader. CHM data is derived from Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) technology, which uses laser pulses to measure the height of objects on the Earth’s surface. In this case, we are using CHM data to visualize the height of trees in urban areas. The brighter the color, the taller the trees.

🌿 Islamabad – Pakistan’s Green Capital

Islamabad is renowned for its greenery and scenic views. The Canopy Height Model (CHM) data clearly reflects the city’s dedication to maintaining substantial tree cover. Notice the abundance of bright shades in the CHM image, showcasing tall trees up to 40 meters, especially prominent around Margalla Hills National Park and along major roads. These tall trees provide Islamabad’s residents with cooler temperatures and fresher air—a living testament to effective urban planning.

🌊 Karachi – Trees Amid the Coastal Winds

Karachi, Pakistan’s bustling coastal city, presents an intriguing scenario. The city’s urban growth has limited expansive green spaces. However, carefully maintained parks and select roadways reveal trees reaching heights up to 30 meters. These trees are crucial for combating heat, filtering salty air, and offering much-needed respite in this densely populated urban setting.

🍃 Lahore – The City of Gardens

Known for its rich culture and historic gardens, Lahore showcases impressive greenery despite rapid urbanization. From iconic Shalimar Bagh to the lush Jilani Park, the presence of trees reaching up to 35 meters is evident. Lahore’s tree-lined roads and green spaces form natural corridors, cooling the city and giving residents pleasant places to relax and socialize.

🍂 Multan – Facing Heat, Cherishing Green

Multan’s climate is challenging—hot, dry, and intense. Despite these conditions, the CHM image reveals scattered pockets of trees, some reaching heights around 22 meters. These green patches in Multan are cherished oasis spots, vital for local communities, providing shade, relief from heat, and helping maintain moisture in a dry environment.

🌴 Peshawar – History Meets Greenery

Peshawar, rich in history and tradition, has a moderate yet significant tree canopy. Trees reaching up to 40 meters are spotted near historical sites and traditional neighborhoods. These tall trees are not merely a backdrop—they help preserve Peshawar’s cultural heritage while providing essential environmental benefits, such as cleaner air and cooler urban spaces.

📊 Comparative Summary of Tree Heights

Let’s briefly summarize the tree heights across these cities:

City	avg_height_m	max_height_m	tree_coverage
Islamabad	12.5	40	Abundant coverage, well-distributed
Lahore	10.8	35	Good coverage, historical gardens prominent
Multan	6.2	22	Sparse, clusters mainly near water sources
Karachi	5.8	30	Sparse, concentrated in maintained parks
Peshawar	8.3	40	Moderate coverage, higher near heritage sites

🌟 Why Does This Matter to You?

Tall trees profoundly impact everyday urban life—they reduce heat stress, lower energy bills by cooling our homes, provide cleaner air, and boost mental health and well-being by creating serene, green environments. For city planners, understanding the current state of tree heights helps identify critical areas that require planting or conservation efforts.

Every citizen can play a role. Advocate for more green spaces, plant native trees, protect existing ones, and support local authorities in making urban forests flourish. Healthy, tall trees aren’t just about making our cities beautiful—they’re about making our lives better.

Let’s cherish and nurture these towering green heroes in Pakistan’s urban landscapes. But this will require a collective effort from all of us. We , car drivers and policymakers, must come together to protect and grow our urban forests. This way, we can ensure that future generations can enjoy the same cool breezes and lush greenery that we do today. After all, a greener city today means a better tomorrow for everyone! 🌳✨