A conversation over trees
There is always a mention of trees and their benefits whenever a conversation about nature is brought up. Indeed, trees are an integral part of mother Earth, there is no doubt about it, we always press on the subject of saving them and also planting more and more of them every day but why is that, what is it that trees provide to us that we are so keen to protect them. Through this piece of text, let’s put some spotlight on how trees have benefited us humans and other living beings in various ways. Let’s look at the few basic benefits below:-
Trees help provide basic survival needs like food, and shelter to animals and humans too.
Food and shelter are considered to be “the” needs for survival for both animals and humans at the lowest level of Maslow’s hierarchy pyramid. Animals and birds have resonated with forests and trees in particular as their supporting hand that provides them with a space to call their own. Trees help them in hiding and catching their prey and also at the same time provide leaves and fruits. Humans like the traditional tribals have found their home in forests where trees only come to their rescue to survive like needing fire in winter etc.
Medicinal benefits
There are so many different kinds of trees with different kinds of properties that can actually do wonders. In today’s world when medicines tend to cure everything quickly but there are some or other kinds of long-term reactions seen. On the other hand, trees like Ashoka, Peepal, and Neem can cure various diseases without regrettable consequences but only natural treatment.
Tree- The Carbon Absorber
As per the rules formed by the nature, trees have been given the responsibility of absorbing the excess carbon produced in the environment, basically maintaining a balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide, therefore they aid in slowing down the harmful impact of carbon which consequentially leads to global warming.
Cuts down on pollution
Some of you might have seen this one coming, this is the most basic yet crucial of them all. Trees effectively help in filtering the air, therefore removing the harmful particles from the air we breathe every day. Their leaves particularly play the lead in this act of responsibility.
Mental health is the talk of the town for a few years now and yes people have started to accept that it is something real and that poor mental health is as bad as poor physical health. So, apart from these perks, many psychological studies have shown that trees have a profound and positive impact on one’s mental health. Quoting words of Nora Waln, “Trees give peace to the souls of men.” It indeed is true. According to the DMU (De Montfort University Leicester) report, chances of depression and anxiety along with the need to take antidepressants have seen reduced by the nearby street trees. If you’re someone who is feeling a little stressed or burned out or you know someone who is going through something similar, ask them to go for a walk in the park. If not completely vanish the depressed feeling, it can make it a little better for a few moments surely.
There is undoubtedly an interconnection between happiness as the words of Matt Haig, an author and a journalist, are being proved right. He stated- “Finland is officially the world’s happiest country. It is also 75 per cent forest. I believe these facts are related.” It is simply because it has so many trees in it, which gives them happiness as their reward. Hopefully, in the future years, more and more countries will engage in planting more and more trees.
Yes, you’re right if you’re thinking about how calm and at peace you feel when you are sitting in a park surrounded by trees.
When the world is currently dealing with a climate crisis right now, we all are trying to find great and magical solutions, but one solution has always been there in front of us, planting a few trees but it’s our laziness and lack of effort that is stopping us to make a change. As that popular saying goes, when life gives you lemons, make a lemonade, similarly when changing times due to selfish human deeds gives you climate change, you grow more trees.
