Imagine a world with no trees—no shade on hot days, no birds singing in the branches, and no clean air to breathe. Trees are everyday heroes that work quietly all around us, helping the planet and the people who live on it.

Trees are important because they have so much to give. We couldn’t live on Earth without them. They provide food, building materials, and beautiful forests. Can you think of five incredible things about trees? Read on and add to that list!

Trees are providers

We need oxygen to breathe for our survival. Trees make oxygen for us when they make their food. They also absorb carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, in the process (read more in The Secret Recipe: Making Food While the Sun Shines). Trees provide food like nuts, fruit, seeds, and syrups for us and animals (find out if your syrup is real maple syrup in Syrup Detective). Trees offer shelter to birds and animals, and we use their wood to build houses. Trees are also the source of firewood, lumber, paper, rubber, and more. Trees are part of the system that supports us and other life forms.

Trees protect the Earth

Trees help our climate (learn how in Trees are the Keys — to Climate). Earth can sometimes get too cold or too hot for different reasons. Trees help maintain the balance that keeps us be more comfortable. Trees add humidity (water content) to the air through water vapor. Trees purify air. They remove unhealthy particles and gases so we can breathe cleaner air. Tree roots absorb and store water. They hold on to soil around them and can prevent erosion or (soil washing away).

Trees add beauty, nutrients, peace

Trees can make the spaces we live in more beautiful. Green spaces in cities can have a calming effect and reduce stress in humans. Have you noticed that tree shade helps you feel cooler on hot days? You may save money on air conditioning if you have trees where you live. In the fall, many trees have leaves that change color to beautiful shades of red, yellow, and orange. The fallen leaves decay and add nutrients back to the soil making it fertile.

Trees protect our soil, clean our air, filter our water, make the oxygen we breathe, regulate Earth’s temperature and humidity, and are even said to help relieve stress and anxiety, lower blood pressure, and boost our mood. Enjoy learning about some of the amazing chemistry of trees in this issue!

An article by Weslene Tallmadge