1. Prevent
soil erosion
Trees are the mortar of nature. Their roots hold soil together
and prevent erosion and landslips.
2. Increase nutrients in the
soil
An over-abundance of short root vegetation causes nutrients to
wash out of the soil. This is a particular problem in places where you get a
lot of rain (e.g. Britain) and results in the soil becoming acidic and less
productive. Trees, on the other hand, have deep roots that can bring up
nutrients from deep down in the soil. In addition, their decomposing leaves
become a free source of nutrient-rich compost.
3. Help prevent flooding
Tree canopies slow down the rate at which rainwater reaches the
ground while tree roots act as channels to suck rainwater deeper underground,
which is then released slowly. This means the water doesn’t run straight off
surfaces and into watercourses or downstream. In fact, a study from
2012 showed that water sinks into the soil under trees at 67
times the rate at which it sinks into the soil under the grass. Trees can
also stop soil particles washing into rivers and producing sediment build-up,
which can cause flooding downstream.
4. Bolster fish and fisheries
Deciduous trees on river banks can help salmon and other fish by
reducing siltation, casting shade and supplying leaves for nutrients.
5. Store C02
Roughly 50% of the dry weight of a tree is carbon. If we want to
reduce atmospheric C02 we should be cutting emissions from fossil fuels,
stopping the destruction of old growth forests and planting as many trees as we
possibly can.
6. Give us oxygen
We’ve all heard the expression, ‘the Amazon is the lungs of our
planet’. Some creatures, such as giant bugs back in the Carboniferous Period,
thrive in a carbon rich atmosphere. Humans, on the other hand, are partial to a
little more oxygen. Trees breathe out, we breathe in, we breathe out, trees
breathe in...beautiful.
7. Provide timber for building
materials...
How far would the Vikings have got without trees to build boats?
Or civilization in general without timber for buildings and furniture?
Unfortunately, in the UK, it took us a while to understand the whole limited
supply thing. Once our forests were gone we just looked abroad for timber
sources. The UK currently imports around 70 per cent of its entire wood-based
products. Germany on the other hand has a rich tradition of silviculture going
back hundreds of years with forests covering a third of the country.
8. …and other wood products
Again, where would civilization be without paper? Yes, paper
still comes from trees. As well as other useful products such as mulch, fencing
and resin. And products that only come from specific trees such as rubber and
cork.
9. …and non-timber forest
products
Shrubs and understorey plants such as blaeberries, hazel and
willow grow best in woodland. Meanwhile, many species of fungi, such as
truffles, only grow in symbiosis with specific trees.
10. …and fuel
Another of those ‘vital for the evolution of humanity’ things.
Wood was our first source of fuel before we stumbled across fossil fuels. It’s
back in fashion as a carbon neutral energy source if managed sustainably.
11. Clean the air
Trees absorb air pollution in cities. This 2012 report
from The Woodland Trust, Urban Air Quality,
identifies which trees are best for the job. Unfortunately, urban trees have a
much shorter lifespan than their rural cousins. Once again, trees selflessly
helping us out.
12. Soften the forces of nature
Trees provide shade from sun, and shelter from wind and rain. In
urban areas, they cut down on the urban heat island effect and reduce the need
for air conditioning. This will also help reduce carbon emissions which is
known as a positive feedback mechanism.
13. Surround us with beauty and life
Imagine bright yellow maples and red rowans in autumn. Cherry
blossoms in spring, old gnarled oaks and the red bark of a stately Scot’s pine
reflecting in the evening sun. Or the sound of the wind whispering through
branches carrying the smell of honeysuckle to your nose. There’s a reason trees
increase the value of property.
14. Provide food
Lemons, oranges, olives, apples, mangoes, chocolate, pears,
coconuts, cherries, maple syrup, almonds, hazelnuts, papayas, walnuts….just a
tiny slice of what’s on offer from nature’s tree buffet.
15. Provide medicine
A lot of medicines come from trees, either directly or in their
derivative form. One every day example is aspirin (salicylic acid) from willow
bark (salix spp.)
16. Increase biodiversity
Trees provide food, habitat and shelter for birds and countless
other critters as well as fungi, lichen and micro-organisms. In general, the
older the tree and the older the forest, the greater the biodiversity there
will be.
17. Increase resilience
Greater biodiversity increases resilience to pests, diseases and
non-native species as well as climate change.
18. Make us happy and healthy
There have been numerous studies, such as this one reported in The Atlantic, which prove what most of us
instinctively feel: walking in a woodland reduces depression, anxiety and blood
pressure.
19. Provide shelter and forage for
livestock and deer
Grazing stock and red deer do better in woodland than on open
hills as they have shelter and more grazing opportunities.
And lastly….
20. Trees are amazing in their own
right
Just think, from a tiny seed mixed with sunlight and water a
tree, such as the California Redwood, can grow as tall as 40ft in just 20
years. Iconic trees such as the baobob, banyan, Joshua tree, mangrove and Scots
pine increase the richness of our planet and fire our imaginations.
Trees play an important role in the world’s myths and legends.
The Buddha was supposed to gain enlightenment under the Bodhi tree. A big old
oak in Sherwood Forest was said to be home to Robin Hood and his band of men.
The rowan tree is said to ward off evil spirits in the Gaelic world.
Amazing!
Note:Shared from rewildingbritain.org.uk
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