Importance Of Trees
The trees are amazing plants. Each one of them is an ecosystem in itself, an ecosystem that we have tried to take care of, in the same way in which they take care of us.
Trees and plants are very important for all of us, because without the oxygen that leaves their leaves life on Earth would be very different. The importance of the trees lies, then, in that without these wonderful plants the planet would be a desert . But let’s see it more in detail.
They provide us with the much needed oxygen
Trees, like all plants that have chlorophyll, perform photosynthesis. This means that they absorb carbon dioxide and expel oxygen , in order to convert inorganic matter into organic matter, that is, into food thanks to which they can grow and develop correctly.
If the leaves were dry and / or affected by pests, this process would be tried of course, but the plant would have many difficulties. It is also important not only to treat them against pests, but also to prevent the dust from accumulating on the surface of their leaf parts, and for the water to remain too long in them . In the event that we do not, they could not do photosynthesis, and therefore they would not expel oxygen either.
And … how much air do we breathe a day? Quite. We breathe in and breathe between 5 and 6 liters of air per minute, which in 24 hours are between 7200 and 8600. Thanks to this process, we absorb oxygen and expel carbon dioxide. Just the opposite as during photosynthesis. It could be said that plants and human beings help each other to live .
However, 22 trees are needed to meet the demand of one person per day . Deforestation is harming us in the short and long term, putting our own survival at risk, and if we do nothing, the Earth will be left without its lungs.
Trees and plants as a method of combating the greenhouse effect
The accumulation of gases in the atmosphere is causing the climate on the planet to change faster than it has ever done before. The human being has played a leading role in this story, since since the Industrial Revolution has been contaminating more and more , destroying everything in its path.
The trees absorb almost 22kg of carbon dioxide each year. But there is one in particular that I would like to mention: Pawlonia tomentosa . This incredible species native to China is known as the ” Tree of Life “. Its deciduous leaves and decorative flowers make it an exceptional garden tree, it can live in any type of soil. It has a very rapid growth rate, and is very easy to grow.
The Tree of Life resists fire, because its roots regenerate quickly. And if this seems like little, tell you that it emits large amounts of oxygen, and absorbs up to ten times more carbon dioxide than other trees .
Their life expectancy is between 200 and 250 years. So if you want to have an oxygen pump in your home, this is your tree. It is decorative, easy to care for, and resistant. What more could you want? That resists frost? In this case, I have good news for you: the pawlonia tomentosa supports up to -5 ° C . It’s great, do not you think?
Trees and plants feed us with their fruits
There are many tree species whose fruit is edible: apple trees, orange trees, walnuts, strawberry trees, hazel trees … They are all ideal to have in a garden, planted next to the garden for example. There is nothing like harvesting your own food, and those who have a fruit or several at home, you can taste the true taste of nature.
But depending on the weather you have to choose one or the other , since not everyone needs the same cold hours to flower, nor do they support the same temperatures. Keeping this in mind, you should choose the following trees depending on the climate you have:
- Fruit trees for climates with intense frosts: hazel, arándono, cherry, plum, sloe, currant, peach tree, apple tree, nectarine, walnut, pear tree.
- Fruit trees for temperate climates: apricot, carob, chestnut, fig, olive.
- Fruit trees for climates with very soft frost : persimmon, feijoa, lemon, kumquat, mandarin, orange, medlar, grapefruit.
- Fruit trees for tropical climate: avocado, mango, durian, guava, papaya, pitanga, rambutan.
All of them have to be in an area where they get the sun directly, with enough space for them to develop without problems. Thus, it is important that, before deciding on a specific species, we know what its dimensions will be once it reaches adulthood . This way, we will avoid that in the future we will have to prune it more than the account or change it.
Prevent soil erosion
So is. Trees prevent erosion by maintaining soil moisture. They do it thanks to their roots, which deepen in it. In this way, the plant not only stays well anchored, decreasing the risk that the wind can move it, but also prevents the land from ending up without life.
In principle any tree that does not need fertile soils (or, what is the same, Mediterranean species or those that are very resistant to wind) and that measures around 2m in height will serve you. Generally, you just have to avoid putting fruit trees, because they need very fertile land so that their fruits ripen properly.
Plant them in those areas where erosion is a serious threat , such as slopes or open areas that have nothing that can prevent the wind, and also around the entire perimeter of the area. But, if you want to prevent your soil from eroding, I recommend that you plant shrubs and / or flowers around the trees. This way you will have a spectacular garden.
Erosion is a very serious problem, caused by the erosion of the soil of the wind and the rains. When there is no vegetation cover, the sun’s rays hit directly on it, the wind carries away the few nutrients that remain, and when it rains torrentially, we can have a totally flooded area. Thus, it is highly recommended that, if you live in an area that may be affected by this problem, do not hesitate to plant trees .
Other important uses of trees and plants
The trees maintain a close relationship with humanity. In addition to the uses we have seen so far, there are others that I would like to mention, and they are:
Decrease noise pollution
If you have ever gone to a park located in the middle of the city, surely you have noticed the little urban noise you hear, right? For this reason, gardens located near roads or airports plant trees.
They protect us from the sun and refresh us
There are many trees that give us a good shade in summer, in which we can have a picnic with the family or enjoy watching the landscape. And all thanks to the water vapor that they release through their leaves.
From them we extract the wood
We need this material to make tables, chairs and all kinds of furniture and / or tools. But the felling of trees has to be done responsibly , and always planting a copy in the place from which we have cut.
Beautify the landscape
There is a good amount of incredibly decorative species . Whether for the colors that their leaves acquire in spring and / or autumn, or for the flowers that sprout from their branches, or for the elegant bearing that many of them have, the truth is that nothing would be the same without no trees . We like them a lot, and that’s something that shows.
They are home to many animals and insects
It’s hard not to go to a forest and not see a squirrel coming out of the trunk of a tree, or not see the birds rest before resuming their routine. These plants are the home of many living beings , and without them they would have many difficulties to survive.
Conclusions And Some Facts
We have seen how important trees and plants are to us, but also to all other living beings. It is our responsibility to take care of them and prevent them from becoming extinct, otherwise we would be putting our own lives in danger .
I would not like to finish this special article without first telling you some of the curiosities about these wonderful vegetables. Do you want to know what they are? Here you have them:
- The tallest plant in the world is a Secuoia. They named it Hyperion, and it is located in Redwood National Park, California. It measures 115’54 meters in height.
- The oldest one, is the Pinus longaeva . They have found remains of specimens that lived 7 thousand years of age , although the most normal thing is that they live 3 thousand years. Still, they live much more than any other living being.
- And a plant that existed before the dinosaurs, is Ginkgo biloba . It appeared on Earth 270 million years ago.
- Are you looking for a tree to shade your big garden? So the Ficus benghalensis is for you. It occupies an area of 12 thousand square meters . In India, where it originates, they celebrate parties sheltered from their shadow.
I am Don Burke, one of the authors at My Garden Guide. I am a horticulturist that cultivates, grows, and cares for plants, ranging from shrubs and fruits to flowers. I do it in my own garden and in my nursery. I show you how to take care of your garden and how to perform garden landscaping in an easy way, step by step.I am originally from Sydney and I wrote in local magazines. Later on, I have decided, more than two decades ago, to create my own blog. My area of specialization is related to orchid care, succulent care, and the study of the substrate and the soil. Therefore, you will see many articles dedicated to these disciplines. I also provide advice about how to improve the landscape design of your garden.
