What Trees Do and what we do

1. Trees Produce Oxygen

A mature leafy tree produces as much oxygen in a season as 10 people inhale in a year. The forest also acts as a giant filter that cleans the air we breath.

In every community there are factors that drain the lifeblood away.  They can be as toxic as drug dealers, abusive partners or neighbours, or drivers that put not only their own lives at risk but others as well.  But there are also great community builders as well.  These mature individuals are anxiously concerned with the age in which they live.  By their actions they breathe life back into our community.  They can undo the damage that tens or hundreds of careless individuals cause.  The world needs more of them!

2. Trees Clean the Soil

The term phytoremediation means the absorption of dangerous chemicals and other pollutants that have entered the soil. Trees can either store harmful pollutants or actually change the pollutant into less harmful forms. Trees filter sewage and farm chemicals, reduce the effects of animal wastes, clean roadside spills and clean water runoff into streams.

There are individuals who by their leadership safeguard their community from the dangers that surround us.  They use their position to tackle pollution of our environment, our bodies or our minds.   Their integrity allows them to rise above the complacency or lethargy that too many suffer from.  Often these leaders rise above racism, prejudice, self-aggrandisement and greed to keep their integrity intact in a dirty world.  There are too few of these, especially nowadays.

3. Trees Control Noise Pollution

Trees muffle urban noise almost as effectively as stonewalls. Trees, planted at strategic points in a neighbourhood or around your house, can abate major noises from roads etc.

In today’s life we are bombarded by noise of all sorts.  Much of it is blasting at us from morning to night.  We have become so used to it we barely notice its effect on our lives.  But there are some places that bring calmness, a peace, a comfort to our souls.  Such spaces are crucial for us to find that peace within.  We need to find that space and for each person it will be different.  For some it is the sea, or a forest, their garden, even a balcony, a coastal walk or a silent bedroom. Wherever it is find time to be there and use that special place to shelter and nurture you.  There are less and less of such places in existence but more and more of a need for them!

4. Trees Slow Storm Water Runoff

Flash flooding can be dramatically reduced by a forest or by planting trees. One Colorado blue spruce, either planted or growing wild, can intercept more than 1000 gallons of water annually when fully grown. Underground water-holding aquifers are recharged with this slowing down of water runoff.

The pace of life means that all too often the most important things are left out.  We rush around with such important tasks that we omit the vital conversations or hugs that keep relationships alive and healthy.  Such small tasks allow the pace to slow and vital nourishment sinks deep into our families and friends.  The days no longer run away with mad rushes but contain meaningful moments that make for  a rich life not just a busy one.

5. Trees Are Carbon Sinks

To produce its food, a tree absorbs and locks away carbon dioxide in the wood, roots and leaves. Carbon dioxide is a global warming suspect. A forest is a carbon storage area or a "sink" that can lock up as much carbon as it produces. This locking-up process "stores" carbon as wood and not as an available "greenhouse" gas.

The world is facing global challenges that grow with intensity with each passing year.  Global warming is already causing floods, droughts, famine and lives are being lost daily.  Just because it may not be us, at present, does not make it any less of a priority.  The degree to which we respond in our own lives to this growing trend the quicker we become part of the solution.  We instantly begin to convert the negatives we see around us into progress.  Sometimes it is important to fight the current trends not accept them.

6. Trees Clean the Air

Trees help cleanse the air by intercepting airborne particles, reducing heat, and absorbing such pollutants as carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide. Trees remove this air pollution by lowering air temperature, through respiration, and by retaining particulates.

Everyday we become coated in tiny particles, absorb gas particles that have consequences for our health and well-being.  Our ability to resist such toxins determines our present strength.  Our skin is the medium by which such pollutants reach us, or our lungs.  So it pays to have both thick skin and a healthy set of lungs.  This speaks to our ability to withstand criticism and attacks, while our ability to speak out against injustice is also vital as it may protect others as well.

7. Trees Shade and Cool

Shade resulting in cooling is what a tree is best known for. Shade from trees reduces the need for air conditioning in summer. In winter, trees break the force of winter winds, lowering heating costs. Studies have shown that parts of cities without cooling shade from trees can literally be "heat islands" with temperatures as much as 12 degrees higher than surrounding areas.

In heated situations it pays to have a cool head.  Such characters help calm things down.  They keep us all from overheating.  Without such characters we would constantly be fighting forest fires.  Never seeing the long-term objectives but chasing our tails with short term priorities.

8. Trees Act as Windbreaks

During windy and cold seasons, trees located on the windward side act as windbreaks. A windbreak can lower home heating bills up to 30% and have a significant effect on reducing snowdrifts. A reduction in wind can also reduce the drying effect on soil and vegetation behind the windbreak and help keep precious topsoil in place.

Once you lose the topsoil you can no longer be productive.  Without something to hold the soil in place the good stuff in your life can be lost.  You have to protect the things that keep you productive not lose them.

 9. Trees Fight Soil Erosion

Erosion control has always started with tree and grass planting projects. Tree roots bind the soil and their leaves break the force of wind and rain on soil. Trees fight soil erosion, conserve rainwater and reduce water runoff and sediment deposit after storms.

At a time when flash floods are more frequent and more intense than usual we cannot afford to lose those who nature designed for this purpose.  Such individuals recognise the needs for today, they speak out, they search for the facts and by their presence they stand firm in a rising tide of materialism and commercial greed.

10. Trees Increase Property Values

Real estate values increase when trees beautify a property or neighbourhood. Trees can increase the property value of your home by 15% or more.

Beauty is hard to define but we all know it when we see it.  A friend of mine retired and built a beautiful villa on a slope over looking a wonderful Mediterranean coast.  He had even a bunch of wonderful olive trees on one side and would tell everyone who visited that all major olive groves stemmed from a time of peace in the country.  It was only when you had fifty years of peace to allow your grove to reach maturity, he claimed, it was worth planting.  In time of war no one has that luxury.  We can with thoughtlessness rip out something that has a glorious heritage, not even realizing what it represents and what we have just lost.