We need trees for better living……..

The number of environmental and social problems caused as a result of our bad habit of constant cutting down of trees without replacement and ignorance about the importance of tree and tree planting are critical and alarming. Trees are our earliest neighbors and best friends, in true sense trees are our real neighbors. Trees have […]

The number of environmental and social problems caused as a result of our bad habit of constant cutting down of trees without replacement and ignorance about the importance of tree and tree planting are critical and alarming. Trees are our earliest neighbors and best friends, in true sense trees are our real neighbors. Trees have a tremendous value to us. Trees have a major impact on local weather systems and can also affect the amount of sunlight absorbed by the planet. They give us oxygen without which we cannot imagine the existence of lively earth or life. Trees are important part of the biosphere that exist on earth. Because of their longevity and usefulness, trees have always been revered and sacred in various cultures, and they play a role in many of the world’s mythologies.
We plant trees primarily for their beauty and to provide shade but they do create many other benefits. Trees can sooth and relax us and help us connect to nature and our surrounding. The color green is a calming cool color that helps our eyes quickly recovers from strain. By planting and caring for trees we help improve our surroundings, reduce pollution, lower energy costs, improve the appearance of our community and increase the value of our property.
 Furthermore, trees can reduce air temperature by blocking sunlight. Further cooling occurs when water evaporates from the leaf surface, a chemical process that removes heat energy from the air. Trees play a significant role in reducing erosion and moderating the climate. A tree can be a natural air conditioner, trees absorb and block noise, they reduce glare. Trees protect the soil and decaying leaves promote soil microorganisms. Trees absorb carbon dioxide and other potentially harmful gasses such as sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide from the air and release oxygen thereby improving the quality of air, also reducing greenhouse effect. Trees create an ecosystem to provide habitat and food for birds and other animals and are wind breakers, they combat desertification and cause rainfall and prevent drought.
Similarly, trees have a number of social benefits. Trees can be used to separate and define space thus providing a sense of privacy, solitude and security also to create a feeling of relaxation and wellbeing. Trees can screen unattractive views, soften the sometimes harsh outline of masonry, metal, asphalt, steel and glass. Trees provide us with color, flowers, fruits, interesting forms and shapes to look at. We feel serene, peaceful, restful and tranquil in a grove of trees. Trees can add music to our days by attracting birds and other animals.
Workers in offices with trees around report more productivity and less absenteeism, in market areas people linger and shop longer when trees are present. Landscaped houses also have higher value than non-landscaped ones. Trees make community livable; people walk and jog more on streets with trees. Children and adult have a cool place to play or relax, thus increasing their interaction among neighbors and reducing crime.
We must love and start planting trees today, as said ‘’the best time to plant a tree is twenty years ago and the second best time is now’’. We should promise to plant at least one tree for ourselves. That moment when we love and care for trees that moment we will realize life is best with trees. This will go a long way in benefitting the society at large.
Abdullahi Mohammed   [email protected]