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Appreciate and Plant Trees – It is Worth It!

Appreciate and Plant Trees – It is Worth It!

By Ewa Bekiesch – Permaculture Designer and Sustainable Living Consultant – this is the article I wrote for our local Fraser Coast QLD magazine “The Beacon”

website: www.permaculturehaven.com email: permaculturehaven@gmail.com

Trees are beautiful. Trees are majestic and they are all different. There is an endless variety of shapes, textures and colours. No two are alike. Some people say that trees are spiritual creatures with feelings, but there are more reasons to admire and plant trees.

Carbon storage– Trees absorb carbon dioxide from the air as they need it to grow. A 2019 study from the Swiss Institute of Integrative Biology suggested that planting 1 trillion trees would dramatically reduce the amount of carbon in the atmosphere and significantly help stop global climate change (sciencemag.org)

Trees produce oxygen – Trees are considered “the green lungs” They absorb carbon dioxide and in exchange, they exhale oxygen. One tree at about 20m height produces about 10,000 liters of oxygen each day! (baumpflegeportal)

Trees give shade – who doesn’t like to sit under a tree during a hot summer day? Trees evaporate water, cooling the air at the same time. A well-positioned tree will keep the house cool. Growing food under a fruit tree using the ‘Permaculture Fruit Tree Guild’ system (more info on our website at www.permaculturehaven.com) helps protect leafy greens and berries from the hot sun.

Trees provide shelter and food – Trees are home to a number of birds and small animals. Trees provide food for animals and humans. While planting a fruit tree, you are not only contributing to your own health when you start harvesting your fruit. You also provide home and shelter and food for a number of birds and small animals.

Trees make us happy – spending time among trees reduces stress and improves our well-being. Some studies say that hugging a tree increases levels of hormone oxytocin. This hormone is responsible for feeling calm and emotional bonding. When hugging a tree, the hormones serotonin and dopamine make you feel happier.

Trees stabilise soil – Trees can help in stabilising soil on slopes and prevent soil erosion.

Sustainable building material – Building with wood, providing that it has been sourced from a sustainable provider, saves costs and energy compared to steel or concrete. Wood requires less energy from harvest to transport, manufacturing, installation, maintenance and recycling.

Any new tree will positively contribute to the environment. There are many different trees to choose from and your decision may depend on a few factors. Choose wisely and start planting!

References:

Baum pflege portal, https://www.baumpflegeportal.de/aktuell/10_gruende_warum_menschen_baeume_brauchen/ , viewed on 21/08/2021

Science, The global tree restoratiion potential, https://science.sciencemag.org/content/365/6448/76.full?ijkey=OxoPlV/Tcl1Ao&keytype=ref&siteid=sci, 05th July 2019