Environmental benefits of planting trees

By Bisola Adeyemo

Trees are part of the natural global environment, which serves as food and oxygen, while providing additional necessities such as shelter, medicine, and tools.

Today, their value continues to increase and more benefits of trees are being discovered as their role expands to satisfy the needs created by our modern lifestyles.

The value and purpose of trees are enormous, and their existence is vital for survival.

Below are just some of their benefits.

1) Reducing Climate Change: Harmful CO2 contributes to climate change, the biggest current problem the world has to deal with; trees, however, help fight it. They absorb CO2 removing it from the air and storing it while releasing oxygen.

2) They absorb pollutant gases such as nitrogen oxides, ozone, ammonia, sulfur dioxide. Trees also absorb odors and act as a filter as little particulates get trapped in leaves. A mature acre of trees can yearly provide oxygen for 18 people.

3) Saving Water:
Except for cooling, trees also help to save water. Because of the shade they provide, water will evaporate slowly from low vegetation. Trees need about 15 water gallons a week to survive, and they release about 200-450 gallons of water per day.

4) Preventing Water Pollution:
Stormwater can be full of phosphorus pollutants and nitrogen. Without trees, stormwater flows into oceans and waters without being filtered. Trees break the rainfall and allow water to enter the earth and seep into the soil.

5) Providing Shelters for Wildlife:
Trees also contribute to boosting biodiversity as they become a food source and natural habitat for wildlife. One apple tree produces about 20 fruit bushels per year which can nourish many birds, insects, and wildlife. It can be planted on a very small surface but has a fantastic environmental effect.

6) Renewable Energy Source:
Nowadays, one of the biggest world problems is fossil fuels. Except for their toxic properties, they will also not be around forever. So many companies are focusing on renewable sources of energy. If harvested and treated sustainably, trees can become a great renewable source of energy. They are simple to use, have been around since the beginning of time, and with smart forest management they can become an excellent eco-friendly fuel.

7) Reinforcing Soil:
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 soil obtain moisture. Fallen tree leaves lower reduce soil temperature and prevent soil from losing too much moisture. Decaying leaves that fall onto the ground turn into nutrients for tree growth and promote microorganism development.

8) Erosion Control:
Rain and wind are two primary erosion forces that damage the bare soil. As they fall from heights, drops of rain gain power and , which is strong enough to penetrate soil once they hit the ground. On the other hand, if the land is dried out, then wind can do significant damage. Trees break droplets of rain and weaken their strength while roots hold the soil together and protect it from effects of wind.