Plant a Tree and Make a DifferenceWhatcanatreedo?Environmental BenefitsAnimalsTrees provide a wide range of things formany organisms. Oxygen is essentialand trees continually produce it foranimals and our usage. Many animalsalso rely on trees as a food source andshelter. For example, the Koalas dietconsists solely of gum leaves from aparticular species of eucalyptus tree.Every animal requires shelter from theelements. For many species, a tree provides

a home and shelter from theweather. Trees provide a safe placefor many species to raise theiryoung and escape predators. Insome cases, trees assist in themovement of animals from place toplace - jumping or swinging frombranch to branch.

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Soil Erosion/ Run OffsTrees prevent soil erosion.Their roots secure the soil,protecting the soil fromwind and rain erosion,reducing overall runoff onthe water cycle. Trees canalso return nutrients to thesoil with rotting leaves andbranches on the soil surfacemaintaining soil fertility. Due to deforestation inAustralia, particularly inagricultural areas, and therise in water tablesincreasing soil salinity hasbecome an increasingproblem.

In the absence of trees, the water table(subsurface water) rises bring salts onceheld underground to the surface causingsalt scalds. Salt scalds are too salty forplants and trees to grow rendering theland useless and reducing theagricultural value of the land.

Global WarmingGlobal warming is the increasein average temperatures dueto increased carbon dioxidelevels in the environment as aresult of buying of fossil fuels.Trees help reduce the levels ofcarbon dioxide in ouratmosphere via the process ofphotosynthesis.

During photosynthesis trees absorbcarbon dioxide from theatmosphere and expel oxygen. Asingle tree can absorbapproximately 22 kilograms ofcarbon dioxide per year.

Conserve Energy/ Save WaterTrees can conserve energy bycutting your Summer air-conditioning needs by up to 50%.A trees shade provides a coolenvironment to outside. You can also save water by planting a tree in a perfect positionto shade a lawn. The shade will slow down the rate of waterevaporation from thirsty lawns.

Human Benefits

Healing Powers/ ComfortIt has been scientifically proven thathaving a view of a tree is likely toimprove your health when in a slowhealing process. Many children andadults have commented that havinga tree can be very comforting.Adults are able to find spiritualinspiration and children use trees toexplore their imagination improvingtheir mental health.

Wood/JobsTrees provide a natural resource -wood. The felling and processingof trees into valuable woodproducts is a large industryemploying many people across theglobe. Woods products trapcarbon otherwise loss to theatmosphere via decompensationor burning.

Cool Urban Spaces/Protects ChildrenTrees have a positive aestheticimpact in urban environments. If alarge number of trees cover an areain a city, the shade created breaksup urban heat islands and releaseswater vapour into the air viaphotosynthesis. Schools and publicareas also value the use of treesbecause it protects children fromharmful ultraviolet rays (Sun) whenoutside.

Blocks Out Unwanted Views and Noise/ IncreasesProperty ValueUnwanted views or noise can be easily be blocked out or muffledby a series of trees and greenery.This is a great and easy option foranyone who wants to bring newlife to their backyard. A marketingstrategy for selling properties isto make sure your garden has afew trees and lots of greenery.

Food/OxygenTrees are a food source providing avariety of fruits and nuts for ourconsumption. Trees also produceoxygen which is essential for life.Without oxygen, the human racewould not survive. We breathe inthe oxygen and then breathe outcarbon dioxide. Trees, however, arethe opposite. Trees and humans relyon each other.

A well-planted property andgreen surroundings canincrease property values by asmuch as 15%.

Reference List Websites

Top 22 Benefits of Trees, Tree People, accessed 19 July 2015https://www.treepeople.org/resources/tree-benefits

Benefits of Trees, Trees Are Good, accessed 19 July 2015http://www.treesaregood.com/treecare/resources/benefits_trees.pdf

To What Extent Could Planting Trees Solve Climate Change?, The Guardian,accessed 19 July 2015http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2012/nov/29/planting-trees-climate-change

Why Trees?, Greenpop, accessed 19 July 2015http://www.greenpop.org/why-trees/

Wildlife Benefits, National Wildlife Federation, accessed 19 July 2015https://www.nwf.org/Trees-for-Wildlife/Benefits-for-Wildlife.aspx

How Do Trees Help Animals Live?, Wikianswers, accessed 19 July 2015http://answers.wikia.com/wiki/How_do_trees_help_animals_live

Top 10 Benefits of Trees, EarthShare, accessed 19 July 2015http://www.earthshare.org/2013/07/treebenefits.html

Reference List ImagesKoala, io9, accessed 19 July 2015http://io9.com/5920738/you-can-accidentally-get-an-std-from-a-koala

Animal Tree, visualizeus, accessed 19 July 2015http://vi.sualize.us/animal_tree_color_joanneliuyunn_bear_pb_illustration_bajki_picture_c5TV.html

Tree With Exposed Roots, please conserve.com, accessed 19 July 2015http://www.pleaseconserve.com/help-available-for-land-buffers-tree-planting-and-improving-water-quality/

Soil, deeproot, accessed 19 July 2015http://www.deeproot.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/stories/2014/07/What-Is-Soil-Organic-Matter_Natural-Resources-Conservation.jpg

Cartoon Tree Consuming Carbon Dioxide, cartoon stock, accessed 19 July2015http://lowres.cartoonstock.com/environmental-issues-greenhouse_gas-carbon_dioxide-green_living-green-deforestation-pwen95_low.jpg

Save Energy by Planting a Tree, Advocate Oak Cliff, accessed 19 July 2015http://oakcliff.advocatemag.com/2012/12/free-trees-available-from-oncor-and-arborday-org/

Reference List Images

Hospital Room with Views of Greenery, Readers digest, accessed 19 July2015http://www.rd.com/slideshows/mind-tricks-you-didnt-know-you-fell-for/#slideshow=slide4

Wood Industry, MONGABAY.COM, accessed 19 July 2015http://news.mongabay.com/2008/0229-laurance_china.html

Spring House, Carsondunlop, accessed 19 July 2015http://info.carsondunlop.com/Portals/189260/images/springhouse3.jpg

Apple Tree, What Talking, accessed 19 July 2015https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0bgk4TMH8AU/U5_RvEwPS8I/AAAAAAAACFY/tDsbb9d72Ig/apel.jpg