The benefits of planting trees go far beyond mere aesthetics or keeping our gardens neat and vibrant throughout the year.
As the rise in atmospheric pollution and the threat of global warming slowly become more obvious with each passing day, it is imperative that we take more interest in how trees can be a solution to these problems.
Planting a tree benefits not only the immediate owner and caregiver but the entire ecosystem of the area.
Listed below are some of the biggest advantages of planting a tree.
Benefits of planting trees
These are some of the basic ways in which trees benefit us as humans and also the environment.
1. Combats climate change
Climate change is one of the biggest challenges to the future of mankind, as even a 1-degree rise in global temperatures can melt a vast portion of the polar ice caps, flooding low-lying cities and increasing mean sea levels.
The most significant contributor to global warming is increased emissions of CO2. Tree planting benefits our cause as it absorbs carbon dioxide and increases the levels of oxygen in the atmosphere.
To list just one figure, an acre of deciduous trees can clear up the CO2 generated by an automobile after running over at least 25,000 miles!
2. Helps clean air
Since 2010, the air quality of the world’s top 30 megacities has been declining. Many empirical studies have confirmed this fact.
Tree planting benefits the residents of these cities by helping them avoid serious damage to their lungs as the PM 2.5 particulate matter is absorbed rapidly.
Evergreen trees are much more capable of cleaning the air than the best ACs we have today! Evergreens can absorb ammonia and sulfur dioxide, two major pollutants.
What’s more, one acre of evergreens can produce oxygen that is enough for 18 to 20 people per year.
The only issue is that taking good care of evergreen trees can be pretty taxing for amateurs.
3. Helps cool down urban jungles
Did you know that trees can actually help cool down entire cities by absorbing Carbon Dioxide? This theory was validated in Los Angeles where the average year-on-year average rise in temperature was more than 1.5F.
The mayor of the city authorized the planting of several acres of trees. That was 3 decades ago. Today, LA witnesses the slowest rise in average temperature thanks to this far-sighted idea.
4. Saves more water than you would imagine
While it is well-known that trees produce a great deal of water every year, one of the lesser-known benefits of planting trees is that it also reduces the rate of water evaporation.
hanks to the shade they provide, deciduous trees prevent the loss of water through evaporation from lower levels of vegetation. It also helps avert the drying up of smaller vegetation layers (like those seen on footpaths and pedestrian walkways) by adding more moisture content to the atmosphere.
Most evergreen trees require less than 15 gallons of water a week to sustain their rate of growth. In return, one tree can generate more than 300-350 gallons of water per week which helps in natural cooling and prevents constant evaporation.
5. Prevents the pollution of groundwater
Planting a tree benefits us in ways that are beyond what we can imagine. Did you know that with enough trees, the groundwater levels will not only be retained; the water will be purified to a great extent as well?
It is true! Bigger and older trees prevent the rampant absorption of stormwater. Stormwater contains several chemicals which are harmful to human consumption, like ammonia, phosphorus, and certain oxides of Nitrogen.
The roots of older trees create a patchwork below the surface that is invisible to the eye. This patchwork acts as a natural net that prevents the stormwater from entering and mingling with the groundwater.
This ensures that potable water remains so even after severe weather events. For more information on how you can help maintain public parks and the vegetation they contain, refer to Panorama Tree Care for expert tips and advice.
