In my last blog I wrote about how fascinated I was, seeing the birds from my house and watching how they busy themselves, building nests, hatching their eggs and rearing their young.
It`s something many people in cities will probably never witness, or indeed think about, and it is only the lucky few who have a garden or access to some trees and shrubs, who will be fortunate enough to be able to study them.
Even then, it is taking the time out to watch the birds, as most of us are so busy on the fast treadmill of life, that we tend to take our garden singers rather for granted.
THE AMAZING WORLD of TREES:
Trees, have been my next observation, and their transformation from the leafless drab branches of Winter to the lively green leaves of Spring.
TREE TRUNK, BRANCHES and LEAVES:
With a bit of sunshine and some rain, one can almost see this happening on a daily basis.
Some trees also have blossom, such as cherry, apple and plum, which make a spectacular sight, and also provide fruit to eat.
TREES PRODUCE FRUIT:
Isn`t it a great pity that our lives are lived at such a pace, that we cannot take time to appreciate these free splashes of colour which have such a positive effect on our mental health?
The green of the leaves is an interesting colour, and one which is popular just now, both in the fashion world and home design.
There are so many shades of green and they can cover many emotions.
The Amazon rain forests boast many of these with their exotic examples of trees and plants.
SHADES OF GREEN:
The new leaves just now tend to be a bright cheerful vibrant green, whereas a more muted and olive green are very calming.
A darker green gives a feeling of stability and strength.
Green can be a cool or a warm colour depending on how it is used, and it can blend with other shades, making it an ideal backdrop.
TREE TALK:
People used to mock those who claimed to "talk" to trees and plants, but there is now scientific evidence that trees in particular communicate with each other in many ways.
Apparently if a stemoscope, (similar to a stethoscope), or similar, is applied to a tree trunk, the noise of water passing through the capillary system of the tree can be heard clearly.
This is the water which has been extracted from the ground through the root system, making its way way up through the trunk via special cells to reach the branches and at this time of year feed and activate the leaf system.
It has now been discovered that there is also a system between trees which is a fungal network.
FUNGAL MUSHROOMS:
This network acts as a go between carrying nutrients and chemicals to and from trees mainly of the same species.
Another discovery shows that a tree can send extra water, via this network and roots, to a tree which is becoming dehydrated, as they have a "distress" mechanism which can relay danger etc.
The pay off is that the fungii in the form of various types of mushroom, for example, will have ideal growing conditions, being in close proximity to the trees.
These almost unbelievable discoveries are well documented in David Attenburgh`s fantastic series, "The Green Planet".
IMPORTANT FEATURES:
Trees put down markers to establish age. The tree trunk when cut, will show a series of circles, each one representing a year.
The leaves which are appearing now have a very specific and important purpose. They can attract carbon and turn it into oxygen.
In todays world of climate debate, this has to be very good news, and has been the reason why tree planting is being encouraged.
Trees are not only beautiful to look at, but are functional as well.
They provide shelter and habitats for birds, insects and other wild life. They also help humans protect their homes by giving protection from storms.
At the same time in hot countries, large forests with extensive leaf systems provide a canopy which screens the sun and prevents it drying out the ground which contains the moisture necessary for growth and nutrition of the trees and other vegetation. As already mentioned, these vast canopies also absorb a huge amount of carbon.
Trees can live to an incredibly long age, with many being hundreds of years old.
RECYCLING A DEAD TREE STUMP:
When a tree dies, it becomes home to many insects and provides a complex eco system which will help it slowly disintegrate and be absorbed back into the ground. It is the ultimate in recycling.
Unfortunately, once again the human factor often takes over.
We have ben cutting down trees for centuries and have been using wood, firstly to generate heat by burning, and also as a building material for houses, boats and many other things.
We are now at a stage where vast areas of forest are being cut down in order to supply a consumer market.
This may be happening in an area close to you, or in a country with huge forests.
FOREST CLEARANCE:
There are several disadvantages to this approach as wild life habitats are destroyed, shelter and stability of the ground is often affected, the carbon to oxygen process is halted, and in some cases, the livelihoods of some indigenous people are threatened or removed, as huge wood cutting operations take over.
If trees have to be cut down, then they must also be replaced, but bearing in mind the time it may take to establish new growth.
TREE REPLACEMENT:
The balance between trees and the natural world must be kept.
Next time you happen to see a tree, don`t just think it is a boring thing with or without a few leaves.
It is a efficient model of engineering, and is constantly at work.
During the winter months it is building up its nutrition and repairing itself for Spring when new leaves will be activated.
Imagine life with no trees. What a soulless place the world would be.
No calming green with blossom, no fruit to eat, and no shelter.
Trees are living , breathing wonders, which keeps our environment healthy and provide us with shelter and a support for nature. We must look after them.
If this blog has been of interest, please like and subscribe. Thank you.
Opt In for for updates!