20+ Reasons For Importance of Trees For Kids in Our Life

Trees are of particularly high significance in the environment. They function in purifying the air we breathe (by replacing our exhaled Carbon dioxide with Oxygen). They, as well as function significantly in various industrial processes (e.g Papermaking) and recreation centers. While this information may not difficult to grasp by older people, it is quite tricky for kids.

More tricky is the comprehension of the importance of trees for kids by the parent or guardian. Because kids are still in their formative years, it is quite important that parents/guardians understand the importance of the various concepts which would aid the psychological and intuitive ability of the kid in later years and convey the information in an easy to understand manner. Below are 20+ importance of trees for kids.

20+ Reasons For Importance of Trees For Kids

Fact 1: Trees keep the atmosphere cool: Because trees are living things, they respire. Therefore, they keep the air humid as they constantly exchange gases and water which eventually results in the cooling effect experienced on Earth. The United States’ Department of Agriculture (USDA) notes that about 56 percent of air conditioning costs is covered by the coolant effect of trees.

Fact 2: Trees give us food: Trees are a major source of food and fruits on Earth. They provide oranges, apples, pineapples and other fruits we eat and produce food for our consumption.

Fact 3: Trees stop erosion: The root of various trees known on Earth reduces erosion by holding on to the soil particles. Also, during rainfall, they cause water to flow down their trunk rather than just running off the soil surface. Therefore, they reduce the amount of soil that runs off with water and preserve soil integrity. This eventually strengthens the soil structure and makes the landform intact and undisturbed.

Fact 4: Trees help people to stay healthy: According to the United States’ Department of Agriculture (USDA), trees remove about 53 tons of Carbon dioxide (contained mostly in the gas we exhale) and 430 pounds of air pollutants (harmful car exhaust, industrial gases, chemicals released by burning synthetic materials e.g rubber).

READ: How Does Deforestation Affect Climate Change?

Fact 5: Trees provide wood for building: Since shelter is a basic necessity of every man, trees play a major in helping man to establish an appropriate shelter for himself. In fact, they are used as a basic structure in roofing and casting processes during the construction of buildings or house.

Selected species of trees particularly useful for this purpose are obtained from the forests after appropriate licenses have been secured. However, care must be taken in exploiting the forests for trees during building or other construction works.

Fact 6: They provide shelter for insects, birds and other animals: Many insects, birds, lizards as well as other animals live entirely in trees. A typical example of an animal which breeds and nests in trees are birds. Other animals include squirrels and deer mice (which store food in trees); insects include ants and termites; trees and frog beetles (which live under a snag’s bark) as well as Chickadees which nest in cavities created by woodpeckers.

Fact 7: They give useful products: As part of their normal metabolic processes, trees (like other normal plants) give products (which to them are metabolic wastes). A significant proportion of this product has been found to be useful. A typical example of such includes the sap of trees which is very good food for insects.

This sap is also very useful in making maple syrup (Very delicious!). Other products include the sticky products which have been found to be useful in the gum-making industry as well as other related industries.

Fact 8: They provide papers: The papers and books on which we write all come from the wood supplied by trees. The wood is converted by paper-producing industries into papers on which we can write on. Thus, trees are a very important contributor to our learning process!

READ: 10 Striking Reasons of Environmental Degradation

Fact 9: They are very beautiful: Varieties of species and types of trees abound on Earth. Some produce very beautiful flowers and fragrances while others have beautiful leaves, stems and branching (without flowers or fragrances). A large number (thousands of them) have painted pictures of trees and thousands of poems on trees. The identified painters include Artists, professional, and amateurs.

Fact 10: They combat climate change: Trees are very friendly to our environment. They reduce the impact of the various harmful chemicals (usually gases) released on earth on the various protective structures in the Earth’s atmosphere. Excess CO₂ is absorbed by the leaves of the trees as they respire, while they give off O₂ (Oxygen) which is very essential for man’s respiration. Since harmful gases are kept at a minimum in the atmosphere through the activities of these trees, climate change is considerably reduced.

Fact 11: Trees conserve energy: Different forms of energy are stored within trees and their products. Such include Chemical energy in the fruit (which functions in nurturing our body on consumption), Potential and Kinetic energy amongst many other forms of energy. In addition, they reduce the cost of air conditioning, thereby saving considerable amounts of energy.

Fact 12: Trees save water: There are vessels within trees which conduct and store some amount of water. While the conduction of water within these vessels is mainly for the nourishment of the tree, significant proportions of water are left unused by the tree’s cells. Therefore, trees could be seen as stores of useful water.

Fact 13: They shield children from ultraviolet rays: The leaves of trees contains compounds which absorb harmful rays such as the ultraviolet rays present in the sunlight that reaches us on the light. The ultraviolet ray has been pointed as notable cause of skin cancer.

READ: What is Forest Degradation and What are Various Causes of it

Fact 14: They heal: Many of the medicines on sale for the treatment of various illness were obtained from plants! An example is the Artemether-Lumefantrine combination which was obtained from the tree Artemisia annua. Other products from plants have been found to heal wounds and exhibit antibacterial properties.

Fact 15: They reduce violence: Research has established that communities with little or no trees experience more violence than those which have some amount of trees. The community with a considerable amount of trees has been found to be very peaceful and orderly.

Fact 16: They mark the seasons: Trees are excellent markers of seasons! The color and amount of leaves on trees give an important indication of autumn, winter or summer.

Fact 17: They create economic opportunities: Trees provide job opportunities for forest officers, gardeners, and other tree experts. They are major items of commerce in the building and construction industry as well as the provision of raw materials to the papermaking industry.

Fact 18: They provide a canopy for wildlife: They provide shade and protection to various animals and insects.

Fact 19: They block destructive winds: Trees play very important roles in reducing the destructive power of violent winds. They obstruct the wind and reduces its impact on the property (such as houses). When trees perform these functions, they are known as ‘wind breakers.’

Fact 20: They provide wood: As an alternative and cheap source of energy, trees are excellent wood sources. The wood obtained from trees is useful to make a fire in the oven, as well as warm up the environment during a camping session or tour.

Fact 21: They increase property values: Because trees add to the magnificence and overall outlook of a property they significantly improve the worth of properties. They improve the scenery and attract potential buyers to the property.

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