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Importance Of Trees
Trees are one of the most important natural resources on earth. They are also a very important part of the ecosystem as many animals solely depend on trees for food and shelter. Trees also provide us with resources, some of which are very important for our survival. Historically, trees provided humans with firewood, which was crucial for cooking and warmth. Some of our earliest ancestors lived in forests where temperatures usually plummeted below freezing. In these situations, sticks, twigs, and branches from trees meant the difference between life and death.
Why Are Trees Important?
Trees are an integral part of the ecosystem. They help to maintain balance and also act as a valuable source of many resources – such as timber, medicine, shelter, raw materials, and more. Furthermore, trees are the natural shelter of many animals, hence, this is the reason why animals usually encroach into human territories when forests are destroyed.
Social Value
Historically, trees have been worshipped or given cultural significance. Especially in India, many trees are considered sacred because of their usefulness or their tie to ancient Indian mythologies. Other cultures have symbolically represented trees and their foliage in artworks and sculptures. Moreover, some cultures observe trees as powerful symbols of life, death, and rebirth.
Community Value
Trees and other shrubs have adorned our parks and gardens, providing pleasing aesthetics for the environment. Moreover, trees provide shade, which is crucial during the summer months. Trees and other foliage near residential areas increase the value of the area. Furthermore, some trees, which are hundreds of years old serve as popular attractions or as historic landmarks. For example, a tree called the Dodda Alada Mara (Big Banyan Tree) is a popular tourist attraction in Bangalore. This 400-year-old tree covers nearly 12,000 m2 and is considered the largest of its kind.
Ecological Value of Trees
Trees are important to the ecosystem because, without them, the land would become barren and lifeless. Moreover, there are countless animals that live on trees. These animals are called arboreal animals and spend their entire lives on trees – raising their young, feeding, sleeping, and mating. If trees are cut down, these animals have nowhere else to live and could go extinct. Animals that live in the trees include sloths, flying snakes, geckos, koalas, opossums, and tarsiers. There are hundreds of species of spiders and insects that make trees their homes.
Structure of a Tree
The main parts of a tree are:
- Roots: Roots are part of the trees that remain in the soil. They absorb the water and nutrients from the soil for the whole tree. Also, they provide the anchor to the tree.
- Trunk: The trunk provides support to all parts of a tree and gives the tree its shape. It stores and transports the water, nutrients, and food to all parts of the plants.
- Crown: Crown is the top of the tree, which contains all the leaves and branches. It has different shapes and sizes for different trees.
- Branches: Branches distribute the leaves in the air evenly. They grow at different positions so that leaves can get the necessary air and sunshine.
- Leaves: They are like the food factories for a tree. They produce food for the tree in the photosynthesis process and give precious oxygen to animals and humans. Leaves contain a substance called chlorophyll, which gives them a green color and is used in photosynthesis.
Benefits of Trees
(1) Trees make the environment clean and beautiful.
(2) Trees provide clean oxygen to us by absorbing contaminated and poisonous carbon dioxide and other gases from our atmosphere.
(3) Where there is a large number of trees, there is also a small amount of noise pollution because the density of the trees does not allow the noise to spread.
(4) Wherever the tree is in large quantity, there is no erosion of the land and with the help of these, the acidity of the land also decreases.
(5) We get organic manure from the dry leaves of trees, which makes the land fertile.
(6) Trees provide us with cool shade in summer.
(7) Due to trees, the atmosphere of our earth changes from time to time, due to which the balance of the earth remains.
(8) We get flowers, fruits, rubber, lacquer, silk, paper, matchmaking, wood, herbs, and other mineral substances from trees.
(9) Trees prevent floods by stopping excessive water flow.
(10) Due to trees, our wildlife wealth is safe today.
(11) Due to trees, every place gets the right amount of rain, due to which we get more potable sweet water for the crop.
(12) Trees are the lifeguards of all beings.
Conclusion
The tree is our valuable asset, if we continue to exploit it, then this wealth will end then our life will also end.
We have to understand the importance of trees because they are the protectors of the whole of nature, as long as it is present on earth, then there is life on earth. Without these, the earth will become just a dry and barren planet.
Today, due to increasing urbanization and our slight selfishness, the number of trees has reduced, whose change you can see that the temperature of the earth is increasing and the environment has also become balanced. Therefore, we have to increase the number of trees by becoming aware of them today, so our environment and life can continue to run smoothly.
