Trees are not just a key to the natural ecosystem, they are anessential part of our life experience. From majestic individual treesthat have historic significance or are simply beautiful, to a quietgrove of greenery we seek for solitude, trees enrich our lifeexperience simply by just being there. Trees are the longest lived andlargest plant form on Earth and throughout recorded history trees havebeen acknowledged as symbols of power, wisdom, fertility and life.

Trees are also symbols of immortality, being able to live toconsiderable age. Pando, a Trembling Aspen located in Utah, USA isconsidered the world's oldest living tree. Pando is estimated to beover 800,000 years old. Pando is a clonal colony of a single maleQuaking Aspen. This massive trees root system covers 107 acres and isestimated to weigh in excess of 6,000 tons which makes it the heaviestknown living organism in the world.

Throughout the world many different species of trees live amazingly long lives. The verified oldest measured ages are:

Norway Spruce (Picea abies) 9,550 years
Baobab (Digitata Adansonia) 6,600 years
Great Basin Bristlecone Pine (Pinus longaeva) 4,844 years
Alerce (Fitzroya cupressoides) 3,622 years
Giant Sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum) 3,266 years
Huon-Pine (Largarostrobos franklinii) 2,500 years
Rocky Mountain Bristlecone Pine (Pinus aristata) 2,435 years

Because of their potential for longevity, trees are frequentlyplanted as living memorials. We become attached to trees that we orthose we love have planted and tended.

Trees add beauty and grace to any locale. Blossoms in the spring,verdant summer foliage and breathing taking colors in the fall; treesmark the seasons as they enhance the beauty of world. They make lifemore pleasurable, peaceful and relaxing. The majesty, endurance andstrength of trees imparts a cathedral like quality as they help us toexperience a primal connection with the earth and our most deeply heldcultural and spiritual values.

The tree has always been a cultural symbol. The tree is often usedto represent nature or the environment itself. In South America a tribeof Indians hold the belief that the trees of the forest hold up thesky. According to ancient tribal legends, the downfall of the treeswill precipitate the destruction of Mother Earth.

Since ancient times, cultures around the world have honored treeswith reverence and respect. Cultures in Australia and Asia regard thetrees as mythical ancestors. Trees were often worshipped as the livingembodiment of their gods and were believed to have holy medicinalapplications and miraculous healing qualities for the body, mind andspirit.

The Druids of Europe were particularly influenced by trees andbelieved that trees possessed great mysterious powers. The AncientGreeks are also known to have had a highly developed respect for thenobility and power of trees. Painting and pottery from the perioddisplay images of gratification and reverence. The Greek culture heldthe Bay Tree in especially high esteem as the tree was dedicated totheir God Apollo and his young son Aesculapius and was held in sacredhonor. Aesculapius was the God of Medicine and thus the Bay Tree wasbelieved to have healing power and was used in many medical potions.

Built in the mid-12th century as a tribute to the Mother of theKing, Ta Prohm Temple in southern Cambodia is the undisputed capital ofthe Kingdom of the Trees. The mystical and enchanting jungle templesbeauty is explored with delight and left with deep regret. It remainsvirtually untouched by archaeologists except for the clearing of anarrow pathway for visitors. Because of its natural and pristine state,one can experience the wonder and joy of the early explorers when theydiscovered these amazing ancient monuments in the middle of thenineteenth century.

Wreathed in silvery mist and shrouded by dense jungle, the temple ofTa Prohm is ethereal in every aspect and conjures up a romanticmysterious aura. Banyan, kapok and fig trees spread their giganticsprawling roots over giant stones, probing walls and tearing terracesapart as their branches and leaves intertwine to form a lush shelteringcanopy over the structures. Trunks of these noble trees twist amongststone pillars and over cobbled walls. The strange, haunting charm ofthe temple trees entwines itself about you as you go, as inescapably asthe roots have wound themselves about the walls and towers. Whenvisiting the awe inspiring Kingdom of the Trees one quickly becomesaware of how powerfully present and fully alive trees are and one cannot escape the all-encompassing connection trees provide in theintricate and fragile web of existence.

More than 8000 tree species, 10 percent of the world's total, arethreatened with extinction. Destruction of forests and woodlands andunsustainable logging of valuable timbers stands are causing thedevastation of many important species. Clearing and burning of ourforests leads to increased levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide, asignificant contributor to global warming.

It saddens the soul to realize that the majority of the citizens ofthe Earth are so accustomed to seeing trees that they take them forgranted; forgetting that these noble entities are fundamental to ourvery existence. Trees act as the living lungs of the planet,sequestering carbon dioxide and returning to us precious, life givingoxygen.

Trees have numerous aesthetic and economic benefits beyond theirimportant role in carbon sequestration and oxygen production. Treesoffer shelter, filter water, cleanse the air of pollution, moderate theclimate, help prevent soil erosion as well as providing wildlifehabitat, scenic beauty and a plethora of items we use daily. We rely ontrees for paper products, building materials, fuel, food, medicine andmore.

We all desire abundant forests for our children and grand-children.Trees maintain sustain-able soils and control erosion. Retaining soilin place by their root mass, deflecting wind driven rain with theircanopies and contributing nutrients with their leaves, trees arecrucial to sustaining and improving the earth's ecosystem.

Trees cleanse our air and water. From auto and factory emissions andozone in industrialized areas to fertilizer and pesticide runoff fromrural farms, trees absorb toxic pollutants as they recharge groundwater and sustain streamflow. Trees also combat global warming. Astrees grow they remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, the majorcontributor to global warming.

We depend on trees for their nutritional bounty. Fruit and nutmeatsare a staple of diets around the world. A fruit tree can live for morethan forty years and produce more than 10,000 pounds of fruit. A treetruly gives life. Apples are one of the most popular fruit tree choicesand a mature apple tree can produce up to 500 apples in a season.Consider planting pear, plum, cherry, apricot, orange, lime, lemon orbanana trees. Research what will grow well in your local area. Plantand enjoy an organic harvest grown in harmony with nature. Nothingtastes sweeter!

Trees are used world wide as landscape amenities to soften the harshoutline of buildings, to create green spaces in communities, provideprivacy, to screen unsightly views and to dampen noise pollution aswell as beautify the property. Shrubs and trees, properly planted andtended on a residential or commercial lot can significantly increasereal estate value. Mature, healthy trees add an average of 20 per centto a property's value.

Planting trees saves energy. Trees planted strategically around ourhomes will decrease cooling costs in summer and provide a windbreakagainst the cold winds of winter thus saving on heating expenses.Depending on species and maturity, the cooling shade of trees canreduce home energy consumption by up to 20 percent. Air temperature inthe vicinity of trees is cooler than that away from trees. The largerthe tree, the greater the cooling effect. Tree planting in urban areasmoderates the heat-island effect caused by concrete paving and heatabsorbing buildings.

Planting trees feels good! It is immensely satisfying to plant atree, happy in the knowledge that this gift to the earth will bringjoy, shelter and sustenance to our children, grandchildren andcountless future generations.

Problems caused by massive and increasing levels of deforestationworldwide has raised awareness of environmental issues and the crucialrole forests play. Climate change is the largest environmental issuethe world faces this century. People of all ages throughout the worldagree that we must act. However sometimes the task seems overwhelming,the challenge too global for any one person to make a difference.Wrong! Every individual act has rewards and consequences.

Celebrate Life! Plant A Tree!

Plant trees in your yard, volunteer with civic and community treerestoration efforts and contribute to non-profit organizationsimplementing reforestation.

Consider green gifting. Are you looking for the perfect gift for abirthday, wedding, anniversary celebrations or any milestone occasion?Are you looking for a meaningful way to mark the birth of your child orgrandchild? Would you like a special way to memorialize a loved one whohas passed away, a unique way to honor a veteran? Giving the gift of acelebration or memorial tree is a unique gift that will last a lifetime.

There is strength in numbers. Together we can make a difference.Take action by living a green lifestyle to reduce your carbon output,educate children about protecting the planet we all share and be partof the solution simply by planting more trees.

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