The No Nonsense List of Tree Benefits

The Benefits of Trees are So Important

The benefits are the "Why". They are reason that "Trees are good". They are the reason why we in the industry do what we do.

Same Old List Needs More Oomph

I struggle with the usual list of tree benefits. It just doesn't resonate enough. Every tree advocating organisation going has its own version of the same things. You've all seen the list. 

Trees...

Clean the Air

Provide Shade

Filter and absorb water

Provide wildlife habitat

Stabilise soil

Sequester Carbon

Make Oxygen

Grow fruit and supply timber

Look pretty

Raise property values

Prevent crime

Foster healing

Bring neighbourhoods together

Have pink flowers in the spring

Are Awesome

and so on. I don't dispute any of it. I believe it all, but I'm not the person who is irritated by some leaves clogging up the gutters. Or the guy who is worried that roots will affect the septic field; or clog the drains. Heaven forbid if the sun is blocked so that the grass won't grow. Never mind that trees create a mess of fallen leaves in autumn. Grandma could slip on those.

The trouble is the usual list just doesn't present well when we have to argue in favour of tree retention.

As arborists we need to be able to get this message across loud and clear. We have to draw a line in the sand over when a tree should or should not get removed. 

The No Nonsense List of Tree Benefits

#1. More Trees Equals Less Lung Cancer

Do you know anyone who has died of lung cancer? I thought so.

• Here is a list of lung diseases.
• Apparently 60% of lung cancer sufferers are not smokers. 

#2. More Trees Means Less Skin Cancer

 Skin cancer is very common. What's that mole on your face?

• Actually there are many skin diseases caused by the sun.
• This stuff freaks me out a little. I'm pretty susceptible and I've had a lot of exposure.

#3. More Trees Leads to Less Diarrhoea

When was the last time you had diarrhoea?

• Have you read that dirty water kills 5000 per day?
• Here are some common "dirty water" diseases.

#4. More Trees Means Fewer Animals Go Extinct

 Grizzly Bears, Sea Otters, Woodland Caribou and many many more.

• Deforestation is among the primary causes of habitat destruction.
• Learn about species at risk.

#5. Trees Prevent Mudslides

• Last summer a family got crushed in their home.
• Read about how tree planting can prevent soil erosion.

#6. Trees Slow Global Warming

Have you heard about the Pine Beetle Epidemic?

• Trees have a role in global warming.
• How hot will it be next year?

#7. Trees Make Oxygen

Babies use oxygen. It's more important to them than breast milk. Oxygen is also used by other forms of life on earth. All of them.

• Some think that trees help the ozone layer.
• Oxygen is the number 1 reason on most lists.

#8. Guitars Are Made From Trees

And guitars are awesome.

• End of story.