First, Trees don't exist in order to be "versus"
anything. Depending upon your philosophical and/or spiritual views, trees are a
living part of the earth's biodiversity and they’ve come to represent life-giving and life-sustaining natural wonder.
Humans tend to apply the word “usefulness” to all things of
the Earth – and, other than water, trees are probably one of the most useful of
natural things.
A school child can readily list things we get from trees
– houses, musical instruments, fire wood, tables and chairs, etc.. Their
parents can add to that list – baseball bats, tool handles, barns, briquettes, paper,
chemicals for a variety of products ... and, of course, Parks With Trees!
Today, universities have scores of courses related to forest science, management, conservation and ecology. And, a day doesn't go by without reference to the downside of deforestation or the upside of trees reducing atmospheric carbon or intercepting storm water.
In earlier times before there was much thought given to where trees were in the cycle of all living things... trees as timber were
staggeringly important to nations and states. It was upon wooden ships humans explored beyond local shores and then circumnavigated the globe. It was with their wooden fleets that nations traded with, fought and conquered distant
people.
In fact, a case can be made, the almost unbroken forests discovered along the East Coast of the U.S. was a major reason for
colonizing America. Britain and France had been warring for
such a long time replacing war and supply ships was a priority and since they’d almost depleted their own forests, American forests were a bonanza. Imagine, hundreds of miles of dense forests of
giant first-growth trees along America’s Atlantic shoreline
… almost immediately these trees were cut and shipped to Europe giving
foreign navies new vitality.
Regarding the spiritual essence of trees, most people have
read about Druids and their beliefs concerning trees. But almost every
culture and world religion incorporates trees, in some manner, within their value system – ethereal spiritual elements are believed to reside within trees or the tree is a significant symbol, often
of something very important. The
most obvious symbol is the Christian cross - the wood crucifix.
I’ve spent a good deal of my life hand-making furniture and
during those years I’ve also studied the history of wood, craftsmanship and the
cultural relationships of wood, tools and human beliefs regarding these things.
Whether it’s Early American or the guilds of pre-World War
II Great Britain and Japan – certain words or phrases are common – “The Soul of a Tree”
and “A Reverence for Wood” are just two of many.
And there are quotes:
“Two roads diverged in a wood and I – I took the one less
traveled by, and it has made a difference.”
– Robert Frost
“As the twig is bent, so is the tree inclined.” – Anonymous
“Cannot see the wood for the trees.” – Anonymous
“A chip on the shoulder is a sure sign of wood higher up.” –
Brigham Young
“An ungrateful man is like a hog under a tree eating acorns,
but never looking up to see where they come from.” – Timothy Dexter
The last quote brings this blog full circle to the part about Bureaucrats vs. Trees …
The following is from
here.
Top 22 Benefits of Trees
Here are 22 of the best reasons to
plant and care for trees or defend a tree’s standing:
Trees combat the greenhouse effect
Global warming is the result of excess
greenhouse gases, created by burning fossil fuels and destroying tropical
rainforests. Heat from the sun, reflected back from the earth, is trapped in
this thickening layer of gases, causing global temperatures to rise.
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a major greenhouse gas. Trees absorb CO2, removing and
storing the carbon while releasing the oxygen back into the air. In one year,
an acre of mature trees absorbs the amount of CO2 produced when you drive your
car 26,000 miles.
Trees clean the air
Trees absorb odors and pollutant gases
(nitrogen oxides, ammonia, sulfur dioxide and ozone) and filter particulates
out of the air by trapping them on their leaves and bark.
Trees provide oxygen
In one year an acre of mature trees can
provide enough oxygen for 18 people.
Trees cool the streets and the city
Average temperatures in Los Angeles
have risen 6°F in the last 50 years as tree coverage has declined and the
number of heat-absorbing roads and buildings has increased. Trees cool the city by up to 10°F, by
shading our homes and streets, breaking up urban “heat islands” and releasing
water vapor into the air through their leaves.
Trees conserve energy
Three trees placed strategically around
a single-family home can cut summer air conditioning needs by up to 50 percent.
By reducing the energy demand for cooling our houses, we reduce carbon dioxide
and other pollution emissions from power plants.
Trees save water
Shade from trees slows water
evaporation from thirsty lawns. Most newly planted trees need only fifteen
gallons of water a week. As trees transpire, they increase atmospheric
moisture.
Trees help prevent water pollution
Trees reduce runoff by breaking
rainfall thus allowing the water to flow down the trunk and into the earth
below the tree. This prevents stormwater from carrying pollutants to the ocean.
When mulched, trees act like a sponge that filters this water naturally and
uses it to recharge groundwater supplies.
Trees help prevent soil erosion
On hillsides or stream slopes, trees
slow runoff and hold soil in place.
Trees shield children from ultra-violet rays
Skin cancer is the most common form of
cancer in the United States. Trees reduce UV-B exposure by about 50 percent,
thus providing protection to children on school campuses and playgrounds -
where children spend hours outdoors.
Trees provide food
An apple tree can yield up to 15-20
bushels of fruit per year and can be planted on the tiniest urban lot. Aside
from fruit for humans, trees provide food for birds and wildlife.
Trees heal
Studies have shown that patients with
views of trees out their windows heal faster and with less complications.
Children with ADHD show fewer symptoms when they have access to nature.
Exposure to trees and nature aids concentration by reducing mental fatigue.
Trees reduce violence
Neighborhoods and homes that are barren
have shown to have a greater incidence of violence in and out of the home than
their greener counterparts. Trees and landscaping help to reduce the level of
fear.
Trees mark the seasons
Is it winter, spring, summer or fall?
Look at the trees.
Trees create economic opportunities
Fruit harvested from community orchards
can be sold, thus providing income. Small business opportunities in green waste
management and landscaping arise when cities value mulching and its
water-saving qualities. Vocational training for youth interested in green jobs
is also a great way to develop economic opportunities from trees.
Trees are teachers and playmates
Whether as houses for children or
creative and spiritual inspiration for adults, trees have provided the space
for human retreat throughout the ages.
Trees bring diverse groups of people together
Tree plantings provide an opportunity
for community involvement and empowerment that improves the quality of life in
our neighborhoods. All cultures, ages, and genders have an important role to
play at a tree planting or tree care event.
Trees add unity
Trees as landmarks can give a
neighborhood a new identity and encourage civic pride.
Trees provide a canopy and habitat for wildlife
Sycamore and oak are among the many
urban species that provide excellent urban homes for birds, bees, possums and
squirrels.
Trees block things
Trees can mask concrete walls or
parking lots, and unsightly views. They muffle sound from nearby streets and
freeways, and create an eye-soothing canopy of green. Trees absorb dust and
wind and reduce glare.
Trees provide wood
In suburban and rural areas, trees can
be selectively harvested for fuel and craft wood.
Trees increase property values
The beauty of a well-planted property
and its surrounding street and neighborhood can raise property values by as
much as 15 percent.
Trees increase business traffic
Studies show that the more trees and
landscaping a business district has, the more business will flow in. A
tree-lined street will also slow traffic – enough to allow the drivers to look
at the store fronts instead of whizzing by.
Alas, I could find no list of positive values associated with "Bureaucrats".
photo and thoughts,
Bill Stankus
April 2014
