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Why plant trees and shrubs?
- Oxygen Replenishment - In the process of photosynthesis,
trees convert carbon dioxide and water into carbohydrates
and oxygen.
- Carbon Sequestration - In order to photosynthesize
and release oxygen, trees absorb carbon dioxide. This may
help slow
global climate change, since carbon dioxide is the greenhouse gas
most blamed for trapping heat in the atmosphere.
- Save Energy - As few as three trees strategically planted
around your home can cut air conditioning bills in half.
- Clean
water - The hair-like root fibers of trees help filter
ground water, trapping nutrients and pollutants that could
contaminate it.
- Pollution Control - Tree leaves and roots act as natural
filters of air and water (rain and ground), removing particulate
matter and polluting nutrients.
- Soil Retention and Rejuvenation - Tree roots hold soil
in place so it cannot easily be washed away by wind or
water;
the decaying of dead tree parts returns nutrients to the
soil.
- Flood Water Control - The root systems of trees hold
in place soil that, if washed away by heavy rains, would
flow into
streams and rivers, making them shallower and allowing
flood waters to overflow protective banks.
- Mineral and Nutrients Cycling and Retention - Through
growth, transpiration and death, trees are an integral
part of
the natural cyle in healthy ecosystems.
- Climate Control - Trees work as natural barriers to wind,
snow, rain and sunlight to moderate an area's microclimate
and prevent the formation of urban heat islands.
- Habitat for Wildlife - Trees and forests provide homes
for many different species of animals.
- Aesthetics - Trees beautify urban and community areas
such as parks, streets, and schoolyards.
- Mental Health - Trees provide green scenery that has
been shown to speed up patient recovery in hospitals and
reduce
stress.
- Physical Health - The forest is a great place to exercise,
providing natural areas for activities such as hiking and
backpacking.
- Recreation - The forest provides many resources for activities
such as hunting, hiking, skiing, and bird watching.
- Natural Source of Medicines - Trees provide substances
with medicinal values such as the active ingredients used
in
asthma medications and cough remedies.
- Education - Forested areas offer many resources as outdoor
classrooms.
- Economy - Urban & rural forests provide jobs.
Information courtesy of American Forests.
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