Introduction
There are many reasons why we want to plant and grow trees. For their conservation and timber value, their beauty, for their value in the landscape, for shade and shelter, in general for the pleasure they give us.
Trees are our largest green plants, and play a vital role in the natural world. They provide a clean air service for us, absorbing the carbon dioxide that we breathe out, produce every time we light a fire, drive our car, or use fuel in any other way. Power stations and manufacturing processes pour carbon dioxide into the air.
All plants use energy from sunlight to combine this atmospheric carbon dioxide with water, absorbed through their roots, in the process of photosynthesis. This chemical reaction produces the carbohydrates and proteins by which plants grow. As a by-product, it releases oxygen – literally the breath of life which we use in respiration.
Trees may bring a touch of the country into cities. They may soften the harsh outlines of commercial buildings, reduce traffic noise, filter out dust in the atmosphere, enhance our parks and gardens.
In the country, trees around houses, farms and farm buildings help the man-made buildings to fit into their rural setting. They provide shade and shelter for livestock. Trees also provide a useful harvest of firewood – in the past, home-grown timber had many uses around the farm, from willows for basket making to home-made gates, fences and buildings.
Tree conservation is not only about individual trees but even more about conserving woodlands and native genetic stock. Trees are an integral part of the natural world, and even a solitary tree may support a wide range of wildlife. However, the greatest conservation value is in long established woodlands of native species. A whole range of plants and animals have evolved to live in woodland and literally cannot survive without their tree cover.
Ever since man started to clear land for homes and farmsteads, trees have been felled. They have provided fuel, fencing, charcoal, building material for houses and ships. Rising human populations, more intensive agriculture, growth of towns and roads, have all caused increasing loss of trees.
Modern forestry has reversed this a little, but mainly using fast growing conifers for timber production, with much less planting of native trees. Ireland, Northern Ireland especially, has very little native woodland left.
It is up to all of us to replace and increase tree numbers. It is not difficult, can be great fun and is very rewarding. The trees provide their own seeds which anyone can collect and grow. You just need to follow some simple guidelines, as you would with any other seed.
