Trees are all around us but have you ever actually stopped to think about just how cool they really are? They come in so many different shapes, sizes, colours and varieties. Additionally, they play an incredibly important role in keeping us all alive and healthy, amongst their many jobs! With more of us spending increasing amounts of time outdoors as the weather warms up, now is a great time to spend a few minutes really looking at the tress around you. There are so many wonderful things to know about the leafy beauties around us; here are 7 cool facts to get you started.
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Trees can talk to each other
Yes, they really can! We could try to explain it, but to be honest, this might be a fact better left to the experts to tell you. Check out this video from National Geographic which we think explains this really well.
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Trees can live for THOUSANDS of years
Understandably, its quite difficult to keep track of exactly how old trees are, although scientists have given it a go. There is a bristlecone pine in California that is thought to potentially be the oldest tree in the world. Named Methuselah, it is estimated to be around 4,855 years old!
Here in the UK we have a few “oldies but goodies” of our own. These include the Llangernyw Yew in Wales (about 4,000 years old) and the Fortingall Yew in Scotland (around the 3,000 year mark).
Image Source: Unsplash
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There are special laws in the UK to protect individual trees
A Tree Preservation Order protects specific trees or areas of woodland from deliberate damage or destruction. Anyone can go to their local council to make a case for why they feel a certain tree should have a TPO. Once an order is in place, if someone wants to cut the tree down or lop it, they need to apply to the council.
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There’s actually a scientific reason that we love being around trees
Biophilia is a term coined in the 1980’s which refers to humans’ instinctive fondness for animals and plants. We naturally feel an affinity towards other living things and seek connections with them. Some people have pets, other have plants and some have both! This also explains why we naturally gravitate towards parks, woodlands, gardens and other green spaces, even leafy streets.
Image Source: Pexels
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Trees are great for our health
This is both our mental and physical health. Trees release chemicals known as phytoncides. Exposure to these, according to research, results in reduced blood pressure and reduced anxiety. There are many, many more health benefits so check them out and let us know which one is your favourite! As we shared last month, we love camping and woodland sites make it even better.
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Trees don’t always produce the same amount of seeds or fruit each year
Some years, a tree may produce loads, whilst the next year, hardly any. These are known as “boom and bust cycles.” During an oak trees’ boom year, they can drop as many as 10,000 acorns in one year! The following year, it may produce significantly less. It is thought that this may be an adaptation to get around the animals which eat the products.
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There are trees on Earth that have been to the moon
Seeds were included as part of the cargo on the Apollo 14 mission in early 1971. Scientists at NASA and the US forestry Service wanted to see if being in the moon’s orbit would affect how the seeds grew once they were back on earth. They were planted and are still growing from what we gather. No official list was made of where the seeds were planted however there is one of some of the believed locations available here:
https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/lunar/moon_tree.html
Image Source: Unsplash
Hug a tree
Trees are pretty awesome so why not give your favourite tree a wave or cuddle the next time you see it. We like to think they would hug us back if they could 😊
Title Image Source: Pexels & Canva
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