How Trees Help Keep the Earth Green

Statuesque and beautiful the redwood forests of Northern California are awe-inspiring. And at nearly 275 feet tall and over 100 feet around, the General Sherman Tree in Sequoia National Park, California, is the largest tree in the world. But even more important, since trees supply the oxygen we breathe and help to keep the air fresh by absorbing carbon dioxide (CO2) and releasing the oxygen, trees are also life-saving.

In fact, U.S. forests are said to remove about nine percent of this nation's total carbon dioxide emissions. While an acre of trees is estimated to remove about 2.6 tons of carbon dioxide in a year, an single average tree will produce about 260 pounds of oxygen in that same time period. That's about the same amount consumed by 18 people annually.

Carbon dioxide emissions are dangerous to our health and help create the greenhouse effect that threatens our very survival. Unfortunately, CO2 emissions have increased by over 30 percent since the Industrial Revolution in the 1700s.

Now while planting a redwood might not be at the top of your list of things to do in your life time, there are other trees that you can plant that will help improve the environment. Depending on where you live these might include aspens, willows, oaks and poplars. And to help motivate you just a little more to get out and plant a tree, here are seven more benefits of planting and nurturing our trees.

Trees Help Clean the Air

Trees absorb gases such as nitrogen oxide and ammonia and trap unhealthy particulates from our air in their leaves and bark.

Trees Provide Shade

Because of those ever-present greenhouse gases, loss of trees, and an increase in roads and buildings, average temperatures have risen in many cities across the U.S. Trees offer shade and have been known to cool buildings by up to 20 degrees in the summer. In fact, place them strategically around your home and you may be able to reduce your air conditioning use by up to 50 percent.

Trees Conserve Water

First, most newly planted trees need about the same amount of water as it takes to flush a toilet twice (15 gallons). But in addition to that, used to shade your lawn and you'll need to water it less.

Trees Aid in Water Pollution Prevention

By impeding rainfall and allowing the water to flow slowly down the tree trunk and into the ground, trees help to reduce runoff. This in turn reduces the amount of pollutants and contaminants that storm waters carry to the ocean.

Trees Help Prevent Soil Erosion

Whether you plant them on flat ground or on hillsides and slopes, trees slow runoff and hold soil in place.

Trees Provide Food

Did you know that an apple tree can yield up to 20 bushels of fruit per year? Better yet, they don't need a lot of space to grow. In addition to providing food for humans, fruit trees also feed birds and wildlife.

Trees Provide Value

If you want to improve the look of your home, plant a tree. They can hide unsightly walls, muffle the sound of traffic and reduce glare. And according to experts they raise property values by as much as 15 percent.

The whole idea is that trees are not only wonderful to look at and enjoy, but they give so much back. And according to the American Forestry Association, if every American family planted just one tree, CO2 levels would be reduced by one billion pounds annually.

Do your part. Plant a tree.

References:

http://www.treepeople.org/vfp.dll?OakTree~getPage~&PNPK=59

http://www.bugwood.org/intensive/trees_and_people.html

http://www.treesaregood.com/funfacts/Environment.aspx

http://globaltreeregistry.com/Tree_Facts/Tree_Facts.htm

http://www.nps.gov/archive/seki/shrm_pic.htm

http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/co2.html

http://www.fast-growing-trees.com/FastestTrees.htm?link=leftnav