Why trees? Why bother?
You may enjoy this article here from Bioweb!; it explains why we need forest and especially in Ireland!
Here are some great reasons, shamelessly copied from Ealing, London's Tree Policy; they see their trees as Urban Forest. Go Ealing!
3.2.1 Environmental Benefits of Trees
Trees help mitigate the risk of flooding as their leaves intercept rain water and through transpiration and evaporation return it to the atmosphere. This is likely to become increasingly important as climate change predictions are that winters will become warmer and wetter.
In adapting to the effects of climate change trees will offer further value by cooling the urban environment and reducing the heat island effect during the anticipated hotter dryer summers.
Trees provide a source of carbon-neutral renewable energy.
Trees filter gaseous pollutants from the air and trap dust particles which are then washed to the ground by rain, thus improving the air quality.
3.2.2 Biodiversity Benefits of Trees
Trees provide habitat for wildlife; over-mature trees and those with dead wood and cavities are particularly valuable for bats, birds and invertebrates.
8
The borough’s woodlands support a large number of insects many of which are rare.
Ealing’s extensive matrix of street tree planting is important as it creates links between parks and other open spaces, allowing wildlife to travel between sites.
3.2.3 Economic Benefits of Trees
The by-products can be sold to create income or provide savings on the purchase of timber, wood chip and mulch.
The employment of specialist arborists and arboriculturists contributes to the wider economy.
Tree lined streets have been shown to increase residential property values.
Trees indirectly promote the use of retail areas by creating an attractive environment for people to shop.
3.2.4 Aesthetic Benefits of Trees
They make a significant impact on the landscape, and many taller trees form skyline features in their own right.
Smaller trees contribute by softening the urban landscape and often provide valuable screening and privacy.
They provide an important link to the past and complement the character of conservation areas and historic buildings.
3.2.5 Health and Social Benefits of Trees
They create a distinctive landscape and impart an appreciation of a place.
Trees provide connection to the natural world for those who might otherwise not experience green space.
Large mature trees provide a sense of history, longevity and permanency.
Trees create space for relaxation which helps to provide relief from stress and enhance emotional wellbeing.
They reduce the incidence of asthma and breathing difficulties by providing cleaner air.
Trees offer valuable shade and reduce the potential risks of skin cancer.
They have been shown to speed up the recovery times of patients in hospital.
Trees provide an outdoor classroom for education about the natural world.
Trees release scents and colours that can stimulate emotional good feeling.
Trees communicate the changing of the seasons.
They mention schools in Ealing also; this is nice
..."Develop Links with Education The Council’s Tree Service will seek to develop links with schools and Educational sites to ensure good arboricultural management and improve their natural resource.
Trees on Educational land and within schools are very important as they give shade and visual interest to a landscape that is often otherwise tarmac, grass sports fields and all weather surfaces. Trees also provide an educational resource for schools and opportunities to teach children about different tree species and the wildlife associated with them.
Schools adopting this tree strategy will be encouraged to maintain or increase the number of trees on their site. New tree planting not only improves the environment of the school; it can also encourage children to develop a positive association and affection for trees and enable a deeper understanding of the role trees play in the wider environment. New funding will be sought to allow a programme of new planting on existing schools. Tree planting should also be included as part of school redevelopment schemes"
Grass. Yes, it's nice for sure. Here is teacher in her garden. Thing is, this garden was planned in the 1860s so though I love trees, the lawn stays. Time to find another spot for a forest.
You may enjoy this article here from Bioweb!; it explains why we need forest and especially in Ireland!
Here are some great reasons, shamelessly copied from Ealing, London's Tree Policy; they see their trees as Urban Forest. Go Ealing!
3.2.1 Environmental Benefits of Trees
Trees help mitigate the risk of flooding as their leaves intercept rain water and through transpiration and evaporation return it to the atmosphere. This is likely to become increasingly important as climate change predictions are that winters will become warmer and wetter.
In adapting to the effects of climate change trees will offer further value by cooling the urban environment and reducing the heat island effect during the anticipated hotter dryer summers.
Trees provide a source of carbon-neutral renewable energy.
Trees filter gaseous pollutants from the air and trap dust particles which are then washed to the ground by rain, thus improving the air quality.
3.2.2 Biodiversity Benefits of Trees
Trees provide habitat for wildlife; over-mature trees and those with dead wood and cavities are particularly valuable for bats, birds and invertebrates.
8
The borough’s woodlands support a large number of insects many of which are rare.
Ealing’s extensive matrix of street tree planting is important as it creates links between parks and other open spaces, allowing wildlife to travel between sites.
3.2.3 Economic Benefits of Trees
The by-products can be sold to create income or provide savings on the purchase of timber, wood chip and mulch.
The employment of specialist arborists and arboriculturists contributes to the wider economy.
Tree lined streets have been shown to increase residential property values.
Trees indirectly promote the use of retail areas by creating an attractive environment for people to shop.
3.2.4 Aesthetic Benefits of Trees
They make a significant impact on the landscape, and many taller trees form skyline features in their own right.
Smaller trees contribute by softening the urban landscape and often provide valuable screening and privacy.
They provide an important link to the past and complement the character of conservation areas and historic buildings.
3.2.5 Health and Social Benefits of Trees
They create a distinctive landscape and impart an appreciation of a place.
Trees provide connection to the natural world for those who might otherwise not experience green space.
Large mature trees provide a sense of history, longevity and permanency.
Trees create space for relaxation which helps to provide relief from stress and enhance emotional wellbeing.
They reduce the incidence of asthma and breathing difficulties by providing cleaner air.
Trees offer valuable shade and reduce the potential risks of skin cancer.
They have been shown to speed up the recovery times of patients in hospital.
Trees provide an outdoor classroom for education about the natural world.
Trees release scents and colours that can stimulate emotional good feeling.
Trees communicate the changing of the seasons.
They mention schools in Ealing also; this is nice
..."Develop Links with Education The Council’s Tree Service will seek to develop links with schools and Educational sites to ensure good arboricultural management and improve their natural resource.
Trees on Educational land and within schools are very important as they give shade and visual interest to a landscape that is often otherwise tarmac, grass sports fields and all weather surfaces. Trees also provide an educational resource for schools and opportunities to teach children about different tree species and the wildlife associated with them.
Schools adopting this tree strategy will be encouraged to maintain or increase the number of trees on their site. New tree planting not only improves the environment of the school; it can also encourage children to develop a positive association and affection for trees and enable a deeper understanding of the role trees play in the wider environment. New funding will be sought to allow a programme of new planting on existing schools. Tree planting should also be included as part of school redevelopment schemes"
Grass. Yes, it's nice for sure. Here is teacher in her garden. Thing is, this garden was planned in the 1860s so though I love trees, the lawn stays. Time to find another spot for a forest.
QUIZ
1. What proportion of the EU is forested?
2. How much of the world is forested?
3. And what about us?
Match your answers;
a A third
b A quarter
c A tenth
Here is a link to some interesting figures on Wikipedia which will give you the answers!
1. What proportion of the EU is forested?
2. How much of the world is forested?
3. And what about us?
Match your answers;
a A third
b A quarter
c A tenth
Here is a link to some interesting figures on Wikipedia which will give you the answers!
Why not keep the ground for running around?
Research done at Forest Schools shows that children who get to play in and around Nature can be more relaxed, ahead of others in areas such as Problem Solving and that there are fewer behavioural problems.
I suppose everybody likes trees. Is anybody measuring this?
More creativity and less energy consumption around forests? Here is a little report about this matter, which talks about how much office workers liked a microforest actually in their building
More creativity and less energy consumption around forests? Here is a little report about this matter, which talks about how much office workers liked a microforest actually in their building