Trees - a fact check

Every year we plant trees with a lot of enthusiasm. This is usually done just on or before the World Environment day. Most people know that trees are “green”, but here are some more facts about them.

1. Trees act as natural pollution filters and remove a lot of vehicle exhaust particulate matter and   dust by trapping them in their leaves
2. Trees lower temperature – this is especially important in cities where the concrete jungle tends to increase the ambient temperature
3. Trees reduce soil erosion. This ensures that land can stay fertile and doesn’t get washed away
4. Trees help recharge the ground water table
5. A mature tree produces as much oxygen in a season as 10 people inhale in a year
6. A mature tree can absorb about 20 kilos of CO2 every year, and, if not burnt, will store that carbon even after it has been cut down
7. Trees provide green canopy & provide a habitat for wildlife, adding to the richness of our flora and fauna
8. Fruit bearing trees provide food

However trees alone do not offer a complete solution to control the rapidly increasing levels of CO2 in the atmosphere. Improving the tree cover will definitely reduce pollution and improve our local environment. But it is a bit more than that. Every tree we plant is a legacy we leave behind for our children, and theirs...

So let us plant more trees & ensure that they’re taken care of, not just for mother nature, but for generations that will follow us.