Many people decide to enrich their gardens by planting trees. Most do it for beauty or to provide additional shade in the summer months. However, there are more benefits to trees than you might think. Apart from relaxing, connecting with nature and its calming effect, trees do a lot for the environment.
If you're thinking about planting a tree around your house, read on to find out what trees do for our environment.
Air purifier
Have you ever felt that "cleaner air" feeling in the woods or by the sea? Well, you were right because it is well-known that trees purify the air. They absorb polluting gases such as nitrogen oxides, ozone, ammonia, and sulfur dioxide. Trees also absorb odors and act as a filter when small particles get trapped in the leaves. One acre of mature trees can provide oxygen for 18 people a year.
Natural Air Conditioning
Did you know that strategically placed trees around your home can significantly reduce your air conditioning needs? This will not only make your wallet thicker, but it will also reduce carbon dioxide and emissions from power plants. Architects and environmentalists sat down together and came up with a great solution: green roofs. Green roofs are an amazing way to add greenery to your home and provide environmental benefits for your community while saving money on cooling bills.
Cooling the streets
Every year we hear shocking news about global warming. For example, the average temperature in Los Angeles increased by 6 F in 50 years, and the average global temperature increased by 1.4 F. This happens as tree cover decreases. Removing trees and replacing them with heat-absorbing asphalt roads and buildings makes cities much hotter. Trees cool cities by up to 10 F by providing shade and releasing water.
Reduce climate change
If people are good at anything, it's accumulating excess carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Harmful CO2 contributes to climate change, the biggest problem facing the world today. Trees, however, help combat it. They absorb CO2 by removing it from the air and storing it while releasing oxygen. Each year, one acre of trees absorbs the amount of carbon dioxide equivalent to driving your car 26,000 miles. Trees are our main survival tools; just one tree can produce enough oxygen for four people.
Provide refuges for wildlife
Trees also contribute to boosting biodiversity as they become a source of food and a natural habitat for wildlife. An apple tree produces about 20 bushels of fruit per year that can feed many birds, insects, and wildlife. It can be planted in a very small area but has a fantastic environmental effect. The most common trees planted as homes for birds, squirrels, and bees are oak and sycamore.
Reinforcing floor
Trees are one of the best partners when it comes to agriculture. They act positively in several ways: they reduce soil erosion, increase fertility, and help the soil to obtain moisture. Fallen leaves from trees reduce soil temperature and prevent the soil from losing too much moisture. Decomposing leaves that fall to the ground become nutrients for tree growth and promote the development of microorganisms.
Renewable energy source
Today, one of the biggest global problems is fossil fuels. Except for their toxic properties, they won't be around forever either. Many companies are focusing on renewable energy sources. If sustainably harvested and treated, trees can become a great source of renewable energy. They are easy to use, have been around since the beginning of time, and, with smart forest management, can become an excellent green fuel.
Planting a tree has many environmental benefits. Planting trees strategically around your home can have tremendous environmental benefits. Not only will you help to recover the quality of life in your locality, you will contribute to the protection of the environment and you will help in the fight against climate change, but you will also set an example. Therefore, planting a beautiful tree is always a good idea!
You must be logged in to post a comment.