Trees Produce Oxygen

All the billions of people and animals on this planet could not exist if there were no trees. For example, a mature leafy tree produces as much oxygen in a season as 10 people inhale in a year. What many people don't realize is that forested areas also act as a giant filter that cleans the air we breathe. Trees and other plant species remove millions of tons of carbon dioxide from the air daily and produce life giving oxygen and nitrogen that all animal species need to survive on this planet. This is why reforestation is so critical to mankind and all of the other life forms on Earth. After harvesting trees for use in paper and wood products, it is essential to use good management practices and replace the forest with fast growing and diverse species of trees. This forest ecosystem restoration and management process will ensure the survival of the planet as well as promoting its long term health by reducing global warming.

Trees Clean the Soil

The term phytoremediation is a scientific term for the absorption of dangerous chemicals and other pollutants that have entered the soil through industrial, commercial and residential waste systems. 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 rivers, creeks and streams. Again, this is why it is critical to maintain healthy forest ecosystems to help protect our fragile environment and thus ensure the survival of all animal species.

Trees Control Noise Pollution

Trees stifle and reduce urban noise almost as effectively as man made walls and natural rock formations. Tree groves, planted in strategic locations in a commercial or residential areas, can effectively cut major noise pollution effects from busy interstates and air terminals.

Trees Slow Storm Water Runoff

Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms, hurricanes, typhoons and other storms can be dramatically reduced by a forest or groves of trees planted in well-placed locations. For example, one large evergreen (say a pine, spruce, or fir), either planted or growing wild, can take in more than 1,000 gallons of water annually when fully grown. Underground water-holding aquifers are recharged with this constant slowing down of water runoff, especially during heavy rainstorms where runoff is most common and prevalent.

Trees Are Carbon Disposals

In order to produce its food, a tree absorbs and locks away carbon dioxide (Co2) in its trunk, branches, roots and leaves. Carbon dioxide is now known to increase the effects of global warming. A forest is a carbon storage area or a "holding area” 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 and thus helps reduce global warming significantly in the process. Again, this is why it is so important to plant and take care of wild and urban forests. Forest management, i.e. planned harvesting and replanting, is essential to the survival of all species on planet Earth.

Trees Clean the Air

Trees help cleanse the air by intercepting airborne particles and dust, reducing heat, and absorbing such pollutants as carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide. Trees remove this air pollution by lowering the overall surrounding air temperature, through respiration, and by retaining particulate matter. This cleaning process helps animal species, such as ourselves, survive by reducing airborne pollution which can cause a variety of fatal diseases such as lung cancer.

Trees Cool the Environment

Forested areas and trees are best known for shade and the resulting cooling effect. Shade from urban tree growth and forested areas reduces the need for air conditioning in summer. During the long winter months, trees break the force of the cold and bitter winter winds, lowering heating costs. Studies have shown that sections of cities without cooling shade from trees can literally be "heat islands" with temperatures much higher than surrounding areas. This results in higher energy consumption (e.g. electricity for air conditioning) and adds to global warming with subsequent environmental pollution.

Trees Act as Windbreaks

During windy weather conditions, forested areas and tree groves located on the windward side of a tract of land act as windbreaks. A windbreak can lower home and commercial heating bills up to 30% and have a significant effect on reducing snow drifts and overall soil erosion. A reduction in wind can also reduce the drying effect on soil and vegetation behind the windbreak and help keep precious topsoil in place. Windbreaks are critical for the worldwide farming industry in helping to protect the top layers of precious crop growing soil. These windbreaks help retain surface moisture for the multitude of edible plants grown such as wheat, corn, soybeans, and other staple food products. Without these food products humankind would not be able to survive.

Trees Fight Soil Erosion

Erosion control has always started with reforestation, and other tree and grass planting projects. Tree roots bind the soil and their leaves break the force of wind and rain on soil. Groves of trees and forests fight soil erosion, conserve rainwater and reduce water runoff and sediment deposit after storms. This is a critical concern when protecting the overall ecosystem to ensure the continuation of abundant wildlife, plant life and water resources.

Trees Increase Residential and Commercial Property Values

Real estate values increase when trees beautify a property or neighborhood. For example, ornamental trees can increase the property value of homes and business parks by 15% or greater.

Trees provide the Products we Use Everyday

Newspapers, building materials, furniture, cabinets, containers, pieces of artwork, etc., are all the by-products of wood. We could not manage our daily lives in a functional manner without wood products and, therefore, that is why it is so important to take care of the world's forests in an effective and efficient manner. Good stewardship and forest management is critical in protecting the fragile ecosystem of this tiny blue planet and thus preserving life as we know it.