Today we hear a lot about deforestation and it happens due to non-availability of land for residential and cultivation purposes. Trees are cut to build flats and commercial plots thus altering earth’s equilibrium. Global warming is its end result! Forest fire and cutting of forest trees have also reduced forest area considerably. Roots of wild trees protect the soil as an outer coat, preventing soil erosion. Forest trees have influence on oxygen cycle as well as carbon dioxide cycle. Leaves and dried parts of trees act as natural fertilizers of the soil and this soil is known as humus.

Through perspiration of trees temperature of atmosphere is reduced considerably and it increases the chances of rainfall. It forms clouds and block the free passage of clouds, thus resulting in rain. Now let me give you a small note on some wonder trees.

Tree that touches the skies – Trees with the height of 37 storey building! Is it possible? Yes, world’s tallest tree is in Redwood National Park of California. It is hyperion tree belonging to coast redwood category and its height is 115.66 meter (379.5 feet).

Single tree forest – Forest means an assembled unit of a group of trees of many types. But the ‘Great Banyan Tree’ of Howrah Botanical Garden, Kolkatta is really amazing! Already from 2800 roots, this banyan tree has spread to a huge area of 14478.44 square metres.

Bodhi tree – A banyan tree 2259 years old is still there in Anuradhapuram of Srilanka. Sankhamitra, the daughter of Emperor Ashoka who accepted Buddhism planted this tree. It’s believed that the branch used for planting it in Sri lanka was brought from Bodhi tree of Budha Gaya by Sankhamitra and her brother Mahindra.

The lungs of Kochi – Though Kochi is a big city where greenery is absent, a reserved forest is there near High court Junction – Mangala Vanam (Mangala forest). Including many migrating birds, a lot of living creatures dwell in this forest area. Its total surface area is 2.74 hectares.  

A few tree facts

• Before I conclude let me give a brief note on social services done by a 50 year old tree.
• When a tree reaches 50, it would have produced oxygen equivalent to 5.3 lakh rupees.
• It acts as a natural fertilizer making soil valuable worth 6.4 lakh rupees.
• Prevents soil erosion worth 6.4 lakh rupees
• Air pollution control worth 10.5 lakh rupees
• Provides food and shelter for birds and animals
• Produces flowers, fruits and other products worth lakhs of rupees

In short, a tree serves us by giving service worth 33 lakh rupees.

Article Posted By : Sandhya Rani  On March 21, 2013lView All Articles

I love trees and green and hate cutting trees

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Keywords :
wonder trees , uses of trees , amazing facts about trees , bodhi tree