Trees are important. Without trees, we humans would not exist on this beautiful planet.
This hurricane has blown away a lot of trees and shrubs; but if you look carefully, you will see many of these trees and shrubs are already growing leaves. They are starting to look very green again. It helps that we have had rain. Rain is very important to all vegetation. It makes everything grow and stay green.
1. Trees produce oxygen.
A mature leafy tree produces as much oxygen in a season as 10 people inhale in a year.
2. Trees clean the soil and fight soil erosion.
Trees filter sewage, reduce the effects of animal wastes, clean roadside spills and clean water runoff into streams. Trees also keep the soil in place and conserve rainwater.
3. Trees slow storm water runoff.
Flash flooding can be dramatically reduced by planting trees. One tree can intercept more than 1,000 gallons of water annually when fully grown.
4. Trees clean the air.
Trees help clean the air by intercepting airborne particles, reducing heat, and absorbing such pollutants as carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide.
5. 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.
If you have lost a tree or even a lot of trees in your garden, think about planting one in the empty space. Tend to it carefully and you will have a beautiful tree once again!
