Trees – There’s a Lot More to Appreciate Than You May Realize

My memories are full of trees!
Lately I’ve been engaging in a deeper appreciation of the tremendous power that trees – such silent, stationary life forces – have in making my life better and healthier. If one tree has this power, a forest has superpowers!

I love the higher level of awareness I encounter when walking among, sitting under, or hugging a tree. Awareness of how the struggles from wind, rain, drought, soil erosion or catastrophic event can change a tree’s character and shape. The peace, survival and strength-building shared by trees standing together is just a marvel for my senses.

Walking among tress benefits me in so many ways – it’s an experience in my continued health and in what I know benefits me.  This is what I know trees share with me.

Time spent in nature correlates with a drop in my stress levels; I’m very aware of the soothing powers that kick in when among the forest, its natural habitat and environment.

Trees are looking out for me as they absorb carbon dioxide that is created by our lifestyles, and that compromises our air quality. Larger, older trees are super-storers of this carbon, so it’s important that in addition to planting new trees, we conserve and protect the giants. Leaves, each one amazing in their own way, help to remove pollution and protect lungs from particulate matter.

Knowing that the burning of fossil fuels (including driving cars) is a large contributor to particulate matter, municipalities are planting trees closer to streets. They’re also working with neighborhoods to plant more trees, which in turn provides more absorption by the leaves – which ultimately works in caring for my lungs.

Another benefit? Our wildlife thrives in trees! These resilient webs of life create habitat at ground level, at the top of tree canopies, and everywhere in between. Trees provide a level of plant diversity within any given landscape or forest, which then provides a diverse habitat that wildlife needs to thrive.

And who doesn’t love the shade of a tree? It gives us comfort as temperatures rise and as heatwaves last longer. Trees bring coolness to paved streets and homes, acting like nature’s air conditioning. Strategically placed landscape shade trees can help minimize energy costs – including the downsizing of a home cooling system!

I salute trees for storing and filtering our drinking water. They do this by removing pollutants and sediments from rainfall, and then slowly releasing the water back into waterways and underground aquifers.  These natural filters bring cleaner water that is easier and less expensive to treat.

And lastly, trees are an art form that brings beauty and appreciation – for their journey shared with us, and for their long and beautiful lifecycle.

Let’s Have a Conversation around trees, and how incorporating them into our lives can help us in our journey to a Healthy Home with Wellness.