World Environment Day Today is World Environment Day, a day when we join the fight against pollution, deforestation, climate change, melting ice caps and other threats to the environment. This year we celebrate the 50th anniversary of this important day. This gives everyone an opportunity to educate and understand how we are harming the planet. This day encourages action and awareness so we can all help make a change! It can seem daunting knowing where to start but we have a great option. Trees are very beneficial to the environment and can even have a positive effect on slowing the rate of global warming. Take a look at our 5 reasons you should have trees in your garden. 1. Trees purify the air we breathe Trees absorb carbon dioxide and other pollutants and release oxygen through photosynthesis, which is vital for our respiratory system. In fact, a single, mature tree can provide enough oxygen for four people to breathe for a year! Some great trees for purifying the air are Conifer trees. The offer good natural air purifiers because they are an evergreen species. Good options such as Scots Pine Trees and Juniper Conifer trees are great options to have in your garden. 2. Reduces the effects of climate change Excess carbon dioxide is building in our atmosphere which is massively contributing to climate change. Trees absorb carbon dioxide as they grow and continue to store it in their trunks, branches and leaves. The more trees we have, the more carbon we can remove from the atmosphere. This will mean we can help to slow the rate of global warming and also get to enjoy a beautiful garden full of trees! For more support take a look at our how to choose the right tree for your garden blog. 3. Trees provide habitats for wildlife Birds, insects and other wildlife rely on trees for habitats and food which are especially important in urbanised areas as there are increasingly fewer homes for wildlife. Trees boost biodiversity not only for creatures but also for plants like fungi and bacteria which can be found on different parts of trees. Some great trees for attracting wildlife can be Oak Trees, Crab Apples, Silver Birch Trees and more. 4. Trees help to prevent soil erosion Soil erosion is the natural displacement of the top layer of soil. This is usually caused by things such as water, air and farming. If you see wet patches or even cracks in your soil this can be due to soil erosion. Trees can help to maintain healthy soil as their root systems and canopies reduce this risk. Improving the quality of your soil will be beneficial in the long run and your plants will love you for it! Remember: Its important to keep on top of this as this can lead to a loss of nutrients in the soil which can then cause problems down the line when plants try to grow! 5. Reduce water pollution Trees can prevent water pollution by intercepting rainfall and filtering out pollutants before they reach rivers and streams. Things such as fertilisers and other waste can be a massive problem. Trees absorb nutrients from the soil, which can help prevent the bad pollutants from leaching into water sources. Discover more benefits of having trees! There are so many other benefits that trees offer, its clear that planting and caring for trees is well worth the effort. You can also create your very own garden full of trees and plants that will not only benefit the planet, but allow you to enjoy your outdoor space! BACK TO ARTICLES
