| Trees are not just a key to the natural | | | | are causing the devastation of many important |
| ecosystem, they are an essential part of our life | | | | species. Clearing and burning of our forests leads |
| experience. From majestic individual trees that | | | | to increased levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide, |
| have historic significance or are simply beautiful, to | | | | a significant contributor to global warming. |
| a quiet grove of greenery we seek for solitude, | | | | It saddens the soul to realize that the majority of |
| trees enrich our life experience simply by just | | | | the citizens of the Earth are so accustomed to |
| being there. Trees are the longest lived and | | | | seeing trees that they take them for granted; |
| largest plant form on Earth and throughout | | | | forgetting that these noble entities are |
| recorded history trees have been acknowledged | | | | fundamental to our very existence. Trees act as |
| as symbols of power, wisdom, fertility and life. | | | | the living lungs of the planet, sequestering carbon |
| Trees are also symbols of immortality, being able | | | | dioxide and returning to us precious, life giving |
| to live to considerable age. Pando, a Trembling | | | | oxygen. |
| Aspen located in Utah, USA is considered the | | | | Trees have numerous aesthetic and economic |
| world’s oldest living tree. Pando is estimated | | | | benefits beyond their important role in carbon |
| to be over 800,000 years old. Pando is a clonal | | | | sequestration and oxygen production. Trees offer |
| colony of a single male Quaking Aspen. This | | | | shelter, filter water, cleanse the air of pollution, |
| massive trees root system covers 107 acres and | | | | moderate the climate, help prevent soil erosion as |
| is estimated to weigh in excess of 6,000 tons | | | | well as providing wildlife habitat, scenic beauty and |
| which makes it the heaviest known living organism | | | | a plethora of items we use daily. We rely on |
| in the world. | | | | trees for paper products, building materials, fuel, |
| Throughout the world many different species of | | | | food, medicine and more. |
| trees live amazingly long lives. The verified oldest | | | | Benefits of Tree Planting |
| measured ages are: | | | | We all desire abundant forests for our children |
| Norway Spruce (Picea abies) 9,550 years | | | | and grandchildren. Trees maintain sustainable soils |
| Baobab (Digitata Adansonia) 6,600 years | | | | and control erosion. Retaining soil in place by their |
| Great Basin Bristlecone Pine (Pinus longaeva) | | | | root mass, deflecting wind driven rain with their |
| 4,844 years | | | | canopies and contributing nutrients with their |
| Alerce (Fitzroya cupressoides) 3,622 years | | | | leaves, trees are crucial to sustaining and |
| Giant Sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum) 3,266 | | | | improving the earth’s ecosystem. |
| years | | | | Trees cleanse our air and water. From auto and |
| Huon-Pine (Largarostrobos franklinii) 2,500 years | | | | factory emissions and ozone in industrialized areas |
| Rocky Mountain Bristlecone Pine (Pinus aristata) | | | | to fertilizer and pesticide runoff from rural farms, |
| 2,435 years | | | | trees absorb toxic pollutants as they recharge |
| Because of their potential for longevity, trees are | | | | ground water and sustain streamflow. Trees also |
| frequently planted as living memorials. We become | | | | combat global warming. As trees grow they |
| attached to trees that we or those we love have | | | | remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, the |
| planted and tended. | | | | major contributor to global warming. |
| Trees add beauty and grace to any locale. | | | | We depend on trees for their nutritional bounty. |
| Blossoms in the spring, verdant summer foliage | | | | Fruit and nutmeats are a staple of diets around |
| and breathing taking colors in the fall; trees mark | | | | the world. A fruit tree can live for more than |
| the seasons as they enhance the beauty of | | | | forty years and produce more than 10,000 |
| world. They make life more pleasurable, peaceful | | | | pounds of fruit. A tree truly gives life. Apples are |
| and relaxing. The majesty, endurance and | | | | one of the most popular fruit tree choices and a |
| strength of trees imparts a cathedral like quality | | | | mature apple tree can produce up to 500 apples |
| as they help us to experience a primal connection | | | | in a season. Consider planting pear, plum, cherry, |
| with the earth and our most deeply held cultural | | | | apricot, orange, lime, lemon or banana trees. |
| and spiritual values. | | | | Research what will grow well in your local area. |
| The tree has always been a cultural symbol. The | | | | Plant and enjoy an organic harvest grown in |
| tree is often used to represent nature or the | | | | harmony with nature. Nothing tastes sweeter! |
| environment itself. In South America a tribe of | | | | Trees are used world wide as landscape amenities |
| Indians hold the belief that the trees of the forest | | | | to soften the harsh outline of buildings, to create |
| hold up the sky. According to ancient tribal | | | | green spaces in communities, provide privacy, to |
| legends, the downfall of the trees will precipitate | | | | screen unsightly views and to dampen noise |
| the destruction of Mother Earth. | | | | pollution as well as beautify the property. Shrubs |
| Since ancient times, cultures around the world | | | | and trees, properly planted and tended on a |
| have honored trees with reverence and respect. | | | | residential or commercial lot can significantly |
| Cultures in Australia and Asia regard the trees as | | | | increase real estate value. Mature, healthy trees |
| mythical ancestors. Trees were often worshipped | | | | add an average of 20 per cent to a |
| as the living embodiment of their gods and were | | | | property’s value. |
| believed to have holy medicinal applications and | | | | Planting trees saves energy. Trees planted |
| miraculous healing qualities for the body, mind and | | | | strategically around our homes will decrease |
| spirit. | | | | cooling costs in summer and provide a windbreak |
| The Druids of Europe were particularly influenced | | | | against the cold winds of winter thus saving on |
| by trees and believed that trees possessed great | | | | heating expenses. Depending on species and |
| mysterious powers. The Ancient Greeks are also | | | | maturity, the cooling shade of trees can reduce |
| known to have had a highly developed respect | | | | home energy consumption by up to 20 percent. |
| for the nobility and power of trees. Painting and | | | | Air temperature in the vicinity of trees is cooler |
| pottery from the period display images of | | | | than that away from trees. The larger the tree, |
| gratification and reverence. The Greek culture held | | | | the greater the cooling effect. Tree planting in |
| the Bay Tree in especially high esteem as the | | | | urban areas moderates the heat-island effect |
| tree was dedicated to their God Apollo and his | | | | caused by concrete paving and heat absorbing |
| young son Aesculapius and was held in sacred | | | | buildings. |
| honor. Aesculapius was the God of Medicine and | | | | Planting trees feels good! It is immensely |
| thus the Bay Tree was believed to have healing | | | | satisfying to plant a tree, happy in the knowledge |
| power and was used in many medical potions. | | | | that this gift to the earth will bring joy, shelter |
| Built in the mid-12th century as a tribute to the | | | | and sustenance to our children, grandchildren and |
| Mother of the King, Ta Prohm Temple in southern | | | | countless future generations. |
| Cambodia is the undisputed capital of the Kingdom | | | | Environmental Stewardship |
| of the Trees. The mystical and enchanting jungle | | | | Problems caused by massive and increasing levels |
| temples beauty is explored with delight and left | | | | of deforestation worldwide has raised awareness |
| with deep regret. It remains virtually untouched | | | | of environmental issues and the crucial role |
| by archaeologists except for the clearing of a | | | | forests play. Climate change is the largest |
| narrow pathway for visitors. Because of its | | | | environmental issue the world faces this century. |
| natural and pristine state, one can experience the | | | | People of all ages throughout the world agree that |
| wonder and joy of the early explorers when they | | | | we must act. However sometimes the task |
| discovered these amazing ancient monuments in | | | | seems overwhelming, the challenge too global for |
| the middle of the nineteenth century. | | | | any one person to make a difference. Wrong! |
| Wreathed in silvery mist and shrouded by dense | | | | Every individual act has rewards and |
| jungle, the temple of Ta Prohm is ethereal in | | | | consequences. |
| every aspect and conjures up a romantic | | | | Celebrate Life! Plant A Tree! |
| mysterious aura. Banyan, kapok and fig trees | | | | Plant trees in your yard, volunteer with civic and |
| spread their gigantic sprawling roots over giant | | | | community tree restoration efforts and contribute |
| stones, probing walls and tearing terraces apart as | | | | to non-profit organizations implementing |
| their branches and leaves intertwine to form a | | | | reforestation. |
| lush sheltering canopy over the structures. Trunks | | | | Consider green gifting. Are you looking for the |
| of these noble trees twist amongst stone pillars | | | | perfect gift for a birthday, wedding, anniversary |
| and over cobbled walls. The strange, haunting | | | | celebrations or any milestone occasion? Are you |
| charm of the temple trees entwines itself about | | | | looking for a meaningful way to mark the birth of |
| you as you go, as inescapably as the roots have | | | | your child or grandchild? Would you like a special |
| wound themselves about the walls and towers. | | | | way to memorialize a loved one who has passed |
| When visiting the awe inspiring Kingdom of the | | | | away, a unique way to honor a veteran? Giving |
| Trees one quickly becomes aware of how | | | | the gift of a celebration or memorial tree is a |
| powerfully present and fully alive trees are and | | | | unique gift that will last a lifetime. |
| one can not escape the all-encompassing | | | | There is strength in numbers. Together we can |
| connection trees provide in the intricate and fragile | | | | make a difference. Take action by living a green |
| web of existence. | | | | lifestyle to reduce your carbon output, educate |
| More than 8000 tree species, 10 percent of the | | | | children about protecting the planet we all share |
| world's total, are threatened with extinction. | | | | and be part of the solution simply by planting |
| Destruction of forests and woodlands and | | | | more trees. |
| unsustainable logging of valuable timbers stands | | | | |