Trees release enough oxygen to sustain human beings.

Trees planted in SEVAI Thottiyapatty Watershed Project

Planting trees is one of the best things we can do for the local environment and for the planet. It’s no secret that trees help the environment, but we may be surprised by all the benefits that planting trees can provide. Besides producing oxygen and removing carbon dioxide and contaminants from the air, trees have many other social, economic, and environmental benefits. Trees are like the lungs of the planet. They breathe in carbon dioxide and breathe out oxygen. Additionally, they provide habitat for birds. CO2 is one of the major contributing elements to the greenhouse effect. Trees trap CO2 from the atmosphere and make carbohydrates that are used for plant growth. They give us oxygen in return about 800 million tons of carbon are stored in the trees .Mature trees can absorb roughly 48 pounds of CO2 a year. The tree in turn releases enough oxygen to sustain human beings. Trees also help to reduce ozone levels in urban areas. Trees reduce runoff and erosion by storing water and breaking the force of rain as it falls. 100 mature trees can reduce runoff caused by rainfall by up to 100,000 gallons. Trees also absorb sound and reduce noise pollution. This is especially important for people who live near freeways. Planting trees can also help cool our home in the summer, the overall effect of the shade created by planting a healthy tree is equivalent to 10 room-size air conditioners. Just being around trees makes you feel good. Trees have numerous social benefits such as improving the mental and physical health of residents. Another example is with children with learning disorders. As a form of therapy, children that suffer from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) can benefit from the presence of trees and other greenery. Kids with ADHD have been proven to be calmer, more responsive, and better able to concentrate when in a space with lots of trees. Houses with trees are also more attractive, there is no doubt that if we plant trees in our community; people will see and feel the difference. It’s clear that trees are essential to our life on the planet. The great thing is that we as humans can play an active role in planting trees to help offset deforestation and urbanization. -Govin