Good Reasons to Plant Trees

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Good Reasons To Plant Trees

Compiled

By

Ajit S. Burangey

DEDICATED TO PARENTS AND THE

ENVIRONMENT

(Year-2011)

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INTRODUCTION

Dear friends,

In this world of exploitation let us make a

small difference in global way. Let us plantas many trees as possible to avoid globalwarming and flooding of the coastal andlow lying areas. So why wait and withoutdelaying start planting trees and conserve

existing trees and forests.

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So here are some good and the bestreasons to act now.

1. Trees produce oxygen: We learn in schoolthat trees are the lungs of the world, howthrough the process of photosynthesis they

produce oxygen. Well a single garden treewill over an average 50-year lifetime,generate almost Rs.23,25,000/- worth ofoxygen and will replenish the atmospherewith enough good 02 to support two

human beings for a year.

2. Trees act as Carbon sinks: Another Partof the process of photosynthesis is theintake of CO2 to make food. So trees

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remove excess Co2 from the atmospherebut we dont need a forest in the backyardto make a contribution. A single gardentree over an average 50-year lifetime orthe equivalent of a fast-growing forest treein a community garden or park, can

potentially absorb up to 48 pounds of CO2over a single year; approximately ten tonsper acre of urban wooded park that isenough to offset the CO2 output producedby driving a car 33796 kilometres. The

equatorial circumference of the earth is40075km. So planting some trees doesoffset the footprint of the road trip of yourlife.

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3. Trees clean atmospheric pollution: Treefoliage remove airborne particulates, fromdust to soot and pollen, thus cleaning thephysical content of air but further, treesabsorb along with carbon dioxide duringphotosynthesis other atmospheric gases,

many are the by-products of exhaust fumesand industrial processes. Amongst theatmospheric pollutants that trees absorbare carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, andnitrogen dioxide. It is estimated that a

single garden tree, over an average 50-year lifetime, can remove in excess ofRs.460,80,000/- worth of air pollutioncontrol. Different trees perform differently- If you live on a busy road just think that a

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single Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum) willremove in a single growing season 5200mglead, 60mg cadmium, 140mg chromiumand 820mg nickel from the environment.While our native Whitebeam (Sorbus aria)is one of the best trees at removing harmful

particulates from the atmosphere. Poor airquality and in particular particulatecontent is linked to respiratory disease,cardiovascular disease, neurological sideeffects and an increase in chemical

sensitivity and allergies.

4. Trees are efficient sound barriers: A tallwall or fence often invites negativereactions from neighbours and

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commercially constructed sound barriersalongside new motorways attract thesame objection from residents : restrictionof views, ugly feeling of confinement, lossof sunlight and lighting, loss of aircirculation, etc. Well nature as usual has

the solution, barring biophobia, trees andtall shrubs supply more effectiveboundaries, socially and aesthetically. Butdo they really work? Some argue that alltrees do is introduce a distraction from

background noise via rustling foliage andbird song etc that psychologicallyredirects the brains perception so that itappears the noise has been reduced. Wellnothing wrong with that! Others, like

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myself who work in the field are first handwitnesses to how foliage and branchsurfaces physically muffle noise. Soundtravels, by its very nature, but nature in theform of trees, by its nature can provideabsorption and reflection. A hedgerow, if it

is high enough and dense enough willsuppress traffic noise. Similarly a stand oftrees with thick undergrowth will decreasenoise levels. It is estimated that 30 metersof dense vegetation can reduce noise by

five decibels. Its a matter of scale. A singletree will play its part with bird song andrustling, a hedgerow or stand willphysically dampen.

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5. Trees make effective windbreaks: Againhere it is scale, a single tree will block andfilter/slow wind and wind speed to adegree, a stand or hedgerow increasesperformance. A shelterbelt can account for

up to a 50-percent wind reduction,translating economically as up to a 25-percent reduction in heating consumption.Trees or other living windbreaks willreduce wind speeds for a distance of 30

times the height of the windbreak on thedownwind side. The other advantage ofliving screens is that any wind barrier thatpermits a percentage of wind penetrationis more effective than a solid barrier such

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as a wall of fence because the let throughprovides a larger area of protection on the

leeward side.

6. Trees aid energy conservation: Thewindbreak action and sheltered

microclimate of a single 7.5 meter tree hasthe potential to reduce a typical home s' heating demand by a minimum of 5percent and for buildings that require air-conditioning in summer, that tree will

reduce cooling costs by a similar amount.

7. Trees prevent soil erosion: The roots oftrees retain soil, and the trees themselvesact as a physical barrier to wind erosion of

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soil. Trees too lessen erosion by water runoff and storm waters. Cities without trees

would need to increase sewage and stormwater drains to handle the increased waterrunoff. Trees prevent sedimentationspilling on to streets and into water

courses.

8. Trees for wildlife: The importance oftrees to attracting and sustaining wildlifeespecially the feathered kind is well

known. The physical structure of treesprovide a habitat for nesting, cover andperching, but trees also provide food viaassociated insects and via their seeds andfruiting as food production. Birch and

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Willow attract many species of birds whileAlders notably draw goldfinches. The

acorns from Oaks feed wood pigeons andjays. Not to forget the berries from Rowantrees are often a Red Cross parcel to birdsover the later seasons.

9. Trees increase property values: Aproperty with a healthy and proportionedtree, offering aesthetic kerbside appealand providing, shade, wind shelter etc. is

valued higher than property without. Bothreal estate agents and home buyers assignmonetary value to the presence of trees tothe extent that mature garden trees canadd between 10 and 25 percent of the

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value of a residence.

10. Trees promote business: Urban andstreet planted trees enhance economicstability of localities and community byattracting businesses and tourists. People

are known to linger and shop longer alongtree-lined streets. Businesses leasing officespaces in developments planted with treesfind that kerbside appeal works to woo newclients and those tree lines developments

will have higher occupancy rates thantreeless industrial parks. Trees have apsychological impact on humanmotivation and sense of wellbeing and soemployers in such developments find their

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workers are more productive and thatabsenteeism is reduced.

11. The Spinal tap effect: YES this goes allthe way to 11: because significantly thatsingle maturing or mature tree will

recycle almost Rs.28,80,000/- worth ofwater over its lifespan. It can be wateredwith grey water from the home, filteringout chemicals and pollutants in theprocess. It will similarly cleanse rainfall,

run off rainwater and flood waters thatotherwise would enter the water table lessfiltered, leaving reservoirs and water tablesupplies cleaner. More trees planted couldtranslate into less processing of tap water

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and less contaminated groundwater. Theknock-on effect to health in a boosted

confidence in drinking water sourceswould be immense. Remember that waterstored in the spinal column supports 75percent of the body weight with the

remaining 25 percent supported by thefibrous material around the disks and allthe time hydration is key And you will want a healthy back now that you haveread this article and decided to put it into

planting a tree next weekend. Your health,your pocket and the planet will thank you!

12. Trees reduce driver rage and incidents16


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of speeding. Trees that form a canopy orare planted along a street often create the

appearance of a narrowing roadway, whichpromotes a reduction in speedsubconsciously in drivers.

13. Trees have been found to have asoothing effect along traffic congestedroadways. The shades of the trees linedalong the roadway gives a cooling effectand also soothes the eyes.

14. Studies show that consumers arewilling to pay more for productspurchased in a shopping district with trees.Those same shoppers say they are willing

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to stay longer and rate the products andstores as being of a higher quality in a

shopping district with trees.

15. Trees save money on heating andcooling costs. As trees keep thesurrounding environment cool with itsshade during summers it takes less coolingeffort for the Air conditioner to cool andsimilarly during the cold season traps theheat in the area thus taking less energy to

heat the place.

16. Trees signal the passing of seasons andtime. Trees are natural indicators of theseasons and psychologically effect the

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animals and humans equally. Virtuallyevery living organism follow the

indications given by the trees in some wayor the other. Humans interpret seasonsfrom the different colours and flowering ofthe trees. This has psychological effect on

the humans. Animals look at trees for landmarks for their territory, look for food andshelter in the shed. Birds similarly feed onthe fruits in different seasons, as differenttrees has different seasons for flowering

and fruiting. Birds build nests on the treesand different species utilise different partof the tree for shelter. Insects harbourthemselves on the trees which themselvesare food for variety of birds.

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17. Lastly and the most importantly treesand plants are known to be good source ofmedicine. Many trees such as neem supplyus with rich sources of alkanoids and

flavonoides. These help in treatingdiseases. Many shrubs and herbs are wellknown to us for their flavours andmedicinal properties and for thousands ofyears have been used by mankind to treat

different diseases.

So all the best and happy tree planting.

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Here is a small glossary of terms to help you to understand something about the

trees and plants.

Glossary of Tree Terms

acidpH - acidity or alkalinity ranging from 3 (strongly acid) to 11 (strongly alkaline) with 7

being neutral.alkaline

pH - acidity or alkalinity ranging from 3 (strongly acid) to 11 (strongly alkaline) with 7being neutral.alleopathyThe suppression of growth of one plant species by another due to the release of toxicsubstances.alternateLeaves that are staggered, not placed directly across from each other on the twig.anthracnose

A group of fungi that cause dieback and sometimes death to various species, such asdogwoods, sycamores, oaks, and maples.bladeThe flat part of a leaf or leaflet, characteristic of broadleaf trees.bractA modified leaf that bears a flower.broadleaf

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A tree with leaves that are flat and thin, and generally shed annually.

bud scar

the marks remaining after bud scales drop in the spring.clingstoneany of various stone fruits (as some peaches or plums) with flesh that adheres strongly tothe pit.compound leafa leaf with more than one blade. All blades are attached to a single leafstem. Where theleafstem attaches to the twig, there is a bud.conifer

A cone-bearing tree.cross-pollinationfertilization between genetically compatible trees for better fruit, often resulting insuperior offspring.crownThe head of foliage of a tree or shrub -- this is the form or shape of the tree.deciduousShedding all leaves annually.entire

A leaf margin with smooth, untoothed edges.evergreenTrees with needles or leaves that remain alive and on the tree through the winter and intothe next growing season.exfoliatepeeling in shreds or thin layers, as bark from a tree.

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freestoneA fruit stone to which the flesh does not cling.habit

The general mode of plant growth. Used to describe the overall shape of a tree.hardiness zoneA plant can be expected to grow in the zone's temperature extremes, as determined by thelowest annual temperature. Other conditions such as moisture, soil, and wind might affectthe availability of individual plants.kneesThe tree trunk in wet conditions exhibits a broad buttress with protrusions from the roots.leaf scar

The mark left on the twig where the leaf was previously attached.lobesProjections that shape a leaf.marginThe edge of a leaf.midribThe primary rib or central vein of a leaf.native

Inherent and original to a geographic area.oppositeTwo or three leaves that are directly across from each other on the same twig.palmateBlades or lobes or veins of the leaf arranged like fingers on the palm of a hand.persistentDeciduous leaf blades that remain on the tree for more than a year.

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petioleThe leafstalk that connects the blade(s) to the twig.phytoremediation

The use of trees to take up chemicals, binding some of the material in an inert form withthe tree, and converting some of it to other substances, possibly even breaking it down intothe normal end product of a tree's chemical processes.pinnateBlades of lobes or veins of the leaf arranged like vanes of a feather.pistilThe seed-bearing organ of the flower. The pistil consists of an ovary, stigma, and style

when present.

pollinationTo transfer pollen from the anther of a stamen to the stigma of a pistil, resulting infertilization. This can occur either on a single plant (self-pollination) or between differentplants. Insect pollination and wind pollination are two examples of natural pollination.reforestationThe planting of forested land that has been lost due to fire, logging, drought, pests, ordisease to restore beauty to the landscape, provide food and habitat for wildlife, and forrecreational activities.

riparian zonean area of ecological transition between the aquatic zone and the upland zone.rootstockThe root upon which the scion is grafted.samara

Winged fruit.scion

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The part of the tree that is grafted or budded to rootstock.self-fertile / self-pollinatingFertile by means of its own pollen; this makes it theoretically possible for both pollen and

ovules to unite and produce fruit without a second tree being present.simple leafA single leaf blade with a bud at the base of the leafstem.

sinusIndentation between lobes on a leaf.specimen tree

A tree placed so people can gain the greatest enjoyment for the color, texture, scent, orother pleasures it provides.spursStubby, often sharp twigs.teethNotches on the outer edge of a leaf.triploidHaving three sets of chromosomes rather than the usual two. As a result, the pollen is

sterile.xeriscapeSaving water while maintaining trees and other plants in the landscape.

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Love Nature so that you can pamper yourself.

Conserve the natural surroundings and secure yourfuture.

WITH MANY THANKS TO PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE GENERATIONS WHO COULD

UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF NATURE.

AJIT S. BURANGEY

[email protected]

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mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]

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Good Reasons to Plant Trees