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12 Interesting Facts About Trees

    Here is a list of facts about trees.

    Have you ever asked yourself how many trees there are on the planet? Such a statistic would be awesome, won’t it?

    Well, we’ve got the answer! There are about 3 trillion trees on earth! This is a fun fact that will truly be exciting to any reader. If you want to learn, then tag along as we unveil the facts about trees.

    12 Cool Facts About Trees For Kids & Adults

    Fact 1: Healing Power

    Did you know that trees possess healing power? They do!

    This is why nature therapy or ecotherapy has become a growing trend in the healthcare industry. Here, the target is the outdoor surroundings.

    By immersing yourself in nature and among trees, you get to improve your physical and mental health. Stress levels have risen over the years due to changing and tight schedules tied around work.

    According to multiple studies, simply taking a look at trees and flowers through a window lowers blood pressure.

    Trees have been found to aid with faster recovery after surgery, boost the immune system, as well as reduce anxiety and depression.

    Fact 2: Certain Trees Release Chemicals to Attract Predators

    Apple trees are among the trees that emit airborne chemicals that attract predators to destructive pests. In this case, caterpillar-eating birds are will navigate their way to such trees and feed on the pests.

    Within the plant kingdom, trees send signals to fellow trees to warn them about an impending insect attack. This sounds like a fairy tale but it’s true. When the insects arrive, they find such trees quite resistant or unfavorable.

    The reason for such resistance is due to the release of anti-herbivore toxins by trees, thus making their leaves unpleasant or bitter.

    Fact 3: The Oldest Living Organisms on the Planet

    Did you know that trees are the oldest living organisms on earth!

    Trees would normally live from a few hundred to several thousands of years.

    Currently, there’s a tree named Methuselah that has lived for over 4,850 years!

    Where is it located then! Well, we’re sorry to disappoint you but its exact location is deliberately kept a secret. This is understandable considering the possibility of vandals damaging it.

    Fact 4: Mega Trees

    Have you heard of Hyperion the giant? This is a redwood that is known to be the tallest tree in the world. It measures an enormous 115.85 meters or 380 feet!

    For a better appreciation of its size, Hyperion the Giant is taller than the statue of liberty or Big Ben.

    This mega tree is located in California. The exact years haven’t been fully determined. However, Hyperion the Giant is estimated to be hundreds of years old.

    Fact 5: General Sherman

    This isn’t the name of a person, but a tree!

    General Sherman is also located in California. This massive sequoia tree dwarfs other trees by far when it comes to its volume. It is second only to the Arbol del Tule in Mexico. Its (General Sherman’s) diameter alone measures a whopping 7.7 meters!

    Fact 6: Migratory Behavior of Trees!

    How on earth do trees migrate? This sounds unbelievable, right?

    Well, trees won’t visibly move, however, these plants shift their population centers to more favorable locations. Trees will normally migrate from unfavorable conditions such as heat towards more tolerable conditions.

    Studies have found that trees move an average of 10 miles or 16 kilometers each decade. This is even more surprising because these organisms hardly move when visually observed.

    Fact 7: Carbon Dioxide Intake

    Trees are important players or contributors to the maintenance of the balance in CO2 and oxygen. Now, trees breathe in a huge amount of CO2 (about 48 pounds) yearly. In 4 decades, a single tree would have absorbed about 1 ton of CO2.

    This is quite revealing and enables you better appreciate and value trees for what they do to the environment.

    Fact 8: Tree Parts Grow at Different Times

    A tree has multiple parts ranging from the foliage, trunk, and roots. All of these parts don’t grow at the same time but develop at different times. The foliage for instance grows in spring.

    For the trunk, this grows mostly in summer. The root systems grow differently (mostly in winter and fall).

    Fact 9: Trees Cool Cities

    Summer temperatures are quite high and can sometimes be unbearable during heat waves.

    However, trees come to the rescue as they help lower temperatures in cities. A process of transpiration occurs where water is released through the leaves.

    Cities with significant tree populations have been found to have lower temperatures due to tree presence.

    Fact 10: Trees Communicate

    Like a lot of organisms, trees interact by sending signals to each other through their root systems. Some studies have found trees to support an infected tree in addition to swapping nutrients.

    This communication is made possible through the presence and action of soil fungi known as mycorrhizal.

    Fact 11: Tree Roots are Quite Shallow

    A lot of times, people erroneously think roots go very deep into the ground to be able to support trees. However, the reality is quite different. About 50% of a tree’s root system is found or grows at a depth of 6 inches from the ground surface. Most of a tree’s roots are found within 18 inches of soil.

    So, how do these shallow root systems support heavy trees?

    The answer is simple; through lateral growth. What tree roots lack in-depth, they make up in lateral growth. Some trees have lateral root systems stretching as far as hundreds of miles in length.

    This explains the reason why trees are quite strong.

    Fact 12: Trees Enhance Bird Biodiversity

    If you want to enhance the bird biodiversity of a pasture, all you need to do is to add a tree. According to studies, a single tree does a lot by increasing biodiversity to as much as 80 from absolutely nothing.

    These in turn benefit the environment through pollination and feeding on pests such as mosquitoes.

    These are a few of many educative and fun facts about trees. If you’ve always underestimated the contribution of trees to the environment, now you should have a better appreciation of the benefits offered.

    Trees should be given the care and respect they deserve as they exist to benefit humanity and the environment.

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