Essay Example on Trees: Our Lifeline to Climate Change Solutions

Introduction

For a long time trees have been beneficial to us in several ways but the main ones are based in oxygen and food provision. As we evolve, they continue to be more useful to our lives as their value increasingly continues and discoveries of their benefits expand. Their role in our lives provides satisfaction to our needs in our modern lifestyles. Trees are significant to us through the following ways;

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Trees combat climate change- the build-up of carbon dioxide has become excess in the atmosphere, and this contributes to climate change. Therefore, trees absorb CO2; they remove and store the carbon while releasing oxygen into the air.

Tree filter the air- trees absorb foul odors, pollutant gasses such as ammonia, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide and filter particles from the air as they trap them in the leaves together with the tree barks.

Trees cool the area- when there is a temperature increase in an area, trees shade homes and streets, they break 'heat islands' in urban areas caused by pavements and commercial buildings as they release water vapor through the leaves into the air.

Trees save water- the shade provided by trees allow slow evaporation of water into the soil. As the trees continue to transpire, they increase the atmospheric moisture.

Trees provide food- food for humans, animals, and birds come from trees. Food in the form of fruits like mangoes, apples, oranges, etc. animals such as elephants, giraffes eat leaves of the trees for nourishment. Monkeys eat flowers, and birds eat the nectar from them.

Trees control the climate- they moderate the effect of the sun, rain, and wind. The leaves absorb and filter the radiant energy of the sun, and this keeps the area cool, they influence the speed and direction of the wind as they provide a screen from the harsh wind, they also shield us from the heavy downpour of rain, hail, and sleet.

Trees prevent soil erosion- this is especially for areas found in hilltops or stream slopes as the trees slow down the runoff water and thus hold the soil in place to help prevent soil erosion.

Trees heal-trees have a healing power as some of the parts like leaves or barks can be used for the treatment of some diseases due to their medicinal value. Trees have a calming, soothing effect as patients who view them out of their windows recover quickly with few complications as studies have shown. The exposure to trees and nature helps in concentration thus reducing mental fatigue.

Trees create economic opportunities- for instance, vocational training is a great way of economic opportunities being created as youth can acquire jobs. The selling of fruits that have been harvested in orchards is an income generator, businesses in landscaping, and green waste management.

Trees bring people together- many groups of people come together in tree planting days to provide empowerment, community involvement, and this improves the quality of lives in the community and neighborhoods.

Trees are a habitat for animals- trees like the sycamore and oak are habitats for many animals including squirrels, bees, birds, and possums. Monkeys also live in trees. The wood from the trees is used by humans to make a shelter for themselves and their families.

Trees block things- the trees mask walls or insightful views by beautifying them by creating an eye-soothing green canopy and flowers. Trees muffle sounds from streets and freeways. They also absorb dust and wind to reduce glare.

Trees provide wood- this wood is used as fuel for those living in rural areas as they harvest them. It can also be used for wooden craft.

Trees increase property value-the beauty found in the well-planted property and its landscape in the neighborhood or street, can raise the value of a property of land. Its value can be up to 15-20% higher than the others.

Trees mark the seasons- trees mark the different season by how they look. One can determine if it is either spring, winter, autumn or summer.

Trees prevent water pollution by reducing runoff water when breaking rainfall; trees allow water to flow down the trunk and into the earth underneath the tree. This prevents stormwater from carrying pollutants to the oceans. The trees act as sponges that filter water naturally, and it is used to recharge supplies in round water.

Famous trees

General Sherman tree

This is the world's famous living tree as it is a giant sequoia over 275 feet tall and 36 feet in diameter and a 52513 cubic meters feet. It is found in California in Sequoia National Park. It is the most volumes and 2300-2700 years old

Chandelier Tree

It is a redwood tree that stands 276 feet tall, and it is found in a drive-through tree park in Leggett, California. Visitors claim its fame as they can drive through the six by six by 9-foot hole cut into its base.

Survivor Tree

It is a celery pear tree discovered at ground zero after the September terror attack in 2001 in New York. Despite being severally damaged as it was charred, with a single branch showing signs of life as it was a convalescent under the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. New smooth limbs extend from its gnarled stumps that create its past and present demarcation.

Jackson oak; the tree that owns itself

It is located in the corner of Dearing and South Finely streets in Georgia. The tree has its legal ownership of its own and the land within 8 feet of its base. William Jackso, its owner, granted it its autonomy upon his death.

Methuselah Tree

This is the oldest individual tree in the world. It is 4845years old of a Great Basin bristlecone pine tree found in the white mountains of California. For many years this tree was thought to be the oldest, but another bristlecone pine tree was discovered in the same area with 5067years.

The Lone Cypress

This tree stands in a granite hillside in Pebble beach California U.S.A.

Endicott Pear

European settlers planted this tree, and it's the first cultivated tree. The Massachusetts Bay Colony Governor planted John Endicott planted it in the 1630s, and it has been bearing fruit since then as it is the only living one

Hyperion

The world's tallest tree which is redwood with 379+feet was discovered by Chris Atkins and Michael Taylor in California. It is found in a redwood national park with about 600years with the likelihood of reaching new heights.

The State Tree in Illinois

It is also referred to as the White oak tree which was officially designed as a state tree in 1973. It was voted in by schoolchildren. It is found in every county in the state as it grows best on the slopes and upland areas. It doesn't grow well on wet soil, and it can live for 350-400years. It has leaves that are bright green and pale green in top and bottom respectively. It is named white oak due to the light appearance of its bark. It provides a good shade due to its thick leaves and widely spread branches. During fall, the leaves change color to red, gold, brown, yellow or purple before they fall off. The tree is significant to the people and wildlife of Illinois as homes, furniture and fences are built of it acorns. Pigs feed on them also. Wild animals like dears, squirrels, songbirds, etc. live and feed on them.

The bald cypress tree is the oldest in Illinois. Its home is in Cache River Swamp in southern Illinois. It is over 1000-plus years old according to their department of Natural resources. The wet swamp area is proper for this tree as it is a water-loving tree. It is widely known since it is the oldest in the state and it is majestic

Bald cypress tree

My thoughts about trees were that they are helpful species in the provision of food, shade, and oxygen but I have learned that trees have many benefits to our lives including bringing people together for tree planting occasions. Trees should be conserved, and they should be planted every day as every day because many trees have been cut down and this is affecting the climate by changing it, and bringing about the depletion of the ozone layer as well.