Trees ~ a certain perspective

Trees make wood. Wood makes chairs. Chairs are good, especially when you have been out chopping wood. It could, then be understood that wood, and by implication trees are good.

However, such logic is unlikely to be the information sought after in the stated requirement to write a short essay in my own words regarding, firstly, the benefits of trees and then on 3 functions of Arboreta. To which I will follow with a more apposite and prolonged dissertation, if you would please excuse the hyperbole.

It was only a day or two, not long past, that I was taking advantage of several of the many practical benefits of trees. It had transpired that, so as not to be late, I had meandered purposefully down to the Barn following lunch, meaning to be punctilious and eager. Alas, however, the doors were locked!

I then spied, but a little further on, a shady and raised lawn. Shaded, indeed, by just such as I am attempting to extoll the benefits of. A tree, providing shade and a pleasantly soothing rustle as a zephyr drifted gently through it's leafy boughs. Now, to set aside this peaceful scene for a moment, and imagine that idle breeze had suddenly engorged itself of all the turblence and violence of a midwinter thunder storm. Even in such a tumultous happening, the same tree would have been well able to provide essential shelter to anything in need. The capacity for resistance to such elemental forces is immense. Herein lies another of the benefits that provides an exception to wood being simply a resource for people to consume.

Needless to say, it can be understood that I am not limited to the functionality of wood as a manufacturing material alone in my appreciation of the benefit of trees. Trees have been seen to effect a positive influence upon the recuperative powers of those within view of natural forested areas. Aside from the relaxing feeling many people experience whilst in the presence of wooded areas or even one or several substantial trees, there is the undoubted capacity of trees to convert Carbon DiOxide into life giving Oxygen.

This conversion, of a by product of mammalian life on this planet, is essential to both the continued health of all animals and also to that of the planet in it's entirety. Indeed, many organisms in this world of ours are dependent upon this continually renewed and lifegiving molecule. The surface area of a leafy tree is substantial and has an added affect of filtering the air we breathe by capturing at least 60%* of "street level particulates." These are then washed off in the rains and deposited directly groundward.

Such is the beneficience and economic import of trees, that they warrant botanical gardens, established specifically for their study and placement in placid, beauteous surroundings. Arboreta (or, as a more clumsy plural in my opinion, arboretums), also provide a source for the edification and education of the public in general. Many arboreta have, since their establishment, had at the very least, certain times allowed for public access and viewing. Today, most specimens housed, are in some way labelled to allow for plebian identification and appreciation.

Arboreta are a source of both creation and preservation. They ensure the presence of stocks of multifarious woody plants from around the globe and provide the essential werewithal for development of new varieties suited to specific requirements and situations.