Trees, those large and showy plant giants, are present in almost any environment, be it rural areas or cities. It seems common sense that the presence of trees in an area is always something pleasant, that it helps to bring a touch of nature to places that would otherwise only look like gray concrete blocks. However, the contribution of trees to the world goes far beyond the realm of aesthetics.
Planting trees brings us, and the environment, many positive aspects and it is worth stopping to see what the benefits of trees are. If you want to learn more about the importance of trees and the benefits they bring, join us in this article.
Trees purify the air and give us oxygen
When we think about what trees produce, many immediately mention oxygen. The great plant massifs of the planet are often referred to as green lungs and although it is true that trees produce oxygen, it is a very small amount compared to that produced by the true lungs of our planet: seaweed.
However, the fact that terrestrial forests are not our largest oxygen producers is far from diminishing their importance: they continue to play a vital role in the quality of the air we breathe. They fix CO2 from the atmosphere, absorbing it and helping to combat climate change, in addition to filtering and absorbing other polluting gases and particles, such as ammonia, sulfur dioxide or nitrogen oxides.
This point is certainly important among the benefits of trees in cities and a good reason to plant trees. Without them, our air would be even more polluted.
Trees help lower the temperature
Another of the main benefits of urban trees is their ability to combat the effects of increased temperature due to climate change. A city with a large amount of tree cover is much more protected from the heat of the sun, reducing its temperature to 5ºC . The shadows of the trees cool, interrupt the so-called heat islands and provide humidity by releasing water vapor through their leaves. For all these reasons, it is vital that there is a tree mass in the cities or, at least, several green areas .
Trees help save energy
Linked with the previous point, we can say that a home protected by the shade of trees will also heat less in summer and will be more protected from the cold in winter. This fact will help us save a large amount of energy in air conditioning and air conditioning, and thus contribute, once again, to a more sustainable and ecological way of life.
Trees protect from the sun’s UV rays
The Sun is healthy and necessary, but its UV rays can be very harmful and it is for this reason that using sunscreen is so necessary. Another of the great health benefits of trees is that they also help us protect ourselves from this danger. Large green areas or tree-lined avenues are pleasant outdoor places, where we can enjoy moments of leisure and relaxation protected by the shade of its branches, which absorb up to 50% of UV-B rays.
Trees protect and shelter animals
The ecosystem benefits of the tree are very important, because in addition to providing food with its fruits or leaves, they function as shelter and protection structures for a large number of species , both in natural and urban environments.
The benefits of trees for animals are thus twofold, being at the same time, on many occasions, a source of food and a home. Countless species of birds, squirrels, marsupials or small arboreal rodents and even large predators make their home from the branches, not to mention the bees, so necessary for their role as pollinators.
Trees set the terrain
Unfortunately, many communities have discovered the effects of deforesting a nearby mountain. What are trees for in these cases? The roots and trunks of large trees are anchored to the ground and at the same time fix and support it, preventing elements such as rain and wind from eroding it.
In an area without trees, it is a matter of time before rains or streams cause landslides and wash the ground, sometimes with disastrous consequences.
Trees are a source of food and raw material
This is, of course, one of the reasons that most interest human beings, but we cannot forget that in order to take advantage of something for a long time, it must be done in a sustainable way.
A fruit tree plantation provides a large amount of food in the form of its fruits and the products derived from them such as resin, cork or wood , which is one of the most used materials for construction. We cannot forget all the benefits that they provide us directly in our homes every day. How much wood do you have around you right now? How many fruits of fruit trees have you had in the last days? If we want to continue benefiting from all these things, we must learn to appreciate and care for our trees and plant many more.
Other benefits of trees
Finally, here we mention more benefits of trees , some of which are closely linked to those previously indicated.
- They help us to recognize the different seasons of the year .
- They help fight climate change .
- They help us to be healthier and feel better. Here you can learn more about what are the benefits of being in contact with nature .
- They reduce violence.
- They generate economic opportunities.
- They increase the value of properties.
- They stimulate the commercial movement.
- They are beneficial for children, to play and learn with them.
- They prevent the erosion of the land, as well as its desertification and its desertification.
