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.
