The tree – a masterpiece of nature

The last article already dealt with the tree and the devastating consequences of its disappearance. The following text will once again address the topic of "trees"—it would be a shame to devote only one article to it. This time, however, we'll leave aside the dark side of deforestation and focus on exciting, interesting, and astonishing facts about trees. Let's get started!

Switzerland as a land of trees

The fact that Switzerland is home to numerous tree species is striking even if you know nothing about trees. Everywhere they find a place and thus the opportunity to literally put down roots – be it on a street somewhere in a city or in your own garden – trees are part of us. Depending on their location, they are given a completely different meaning. For example, a tree by the street lends it much more charm. A tree in the garden, on the other hand, might offer a cat a refuge or serve as a sought-after source of fruit. Regardless of where and to what extent they occur: trees have always been and continue to be a part of our landscape and our culture.

Below, «WaldSchweiz» offers you some exciting facts about our trees:

1. One-third of the country's surface area is covered by forest, with approximately 535 million trees adorning it.
2. The spruce, fir and beech are the most common trees.
3. On average, a tree in our country lives to be 100 years old. But the oldest trees actually live to a proud 1,500 years!
4. The largest tree in Switzerland is the Douglas fir, which originates from North America and reaches a height of 61 m. You can admire it in Madiswil (BE).
5. If you're one of those sufferers whose eyes won't open due to annoying hay fever, then stay away from the aspen tree! It produces up to 500 million pollen particles in spring. Nasty!
6. Approximately 5 million cubic ^meters of wood are harvested each year. Half of this is sold as " log wood " and a third is used for energy . In addition, 150,000 Christmas trees are harvested each year (which are then usually discarded after a few days). How about renting a potted Christmas tree instead? For example, visit baumfreunde.ch!
7. About 45% of the forest offers valuable protection , for example from avalanches or rockfalls.
8. Our forest is considered to be a storage facility for approximately 150 million tonnes of carbon !
9. Do you heat your home with oil? Why not switch to wood? This can save more than 3 kg of _CO2 per liter.

Structure of a tree

Trees are considered to be very robust and can withstand quite a lot (which may also explain their great age). But how do they manage this? To find out, the following facts about the structure of a tree will surely fascinate you. Have fun!

1. The tree is a woody plant . The trunk serves as the body, consisting of numerous layers, each of which fulfills a specific function.
2. The roots are mostly underground. They provide support for the tree, absorb nutrients and water, and also serve as a storage organ for the starch produced during photosynthesis.
3. Anyone who has ever marveled at the cross-section of a tree trunk has surely noticed its numerous annual rings . These record the age and the years of a tree's life. Wide rings appear when there is sufficient rain, for example. Thin rings, on the other hand, are formed by drought or pest infestation.
4. In spring, nature awakens from its winter slumber. This includes the buds of leaves that will adorn the tree's branches. However, the leaves and needles serve more than just a visual purpose; photosynthesis is used to produce the sugar and starch that are essential for the tree.
5. The tree's adaptability is demonstrated by its ability to find ways to resist climate change . The increased CO2 content in the air leads to increased water use efficiency by regulating the stomata in the leaf pores to maximize carbon uptake while minimizing water loss. According to the WSL research institute, this circumstance will not affect the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, but it does show that even nature is not simply accepting climate change.

Benefits for the environment

Like everything created by nature, the tree is a small—or, in this case, rather large—masterpiece. It is designed to adapt perfectly to its environment and thus be able to endure for a very long time without difficulty. As if this weren't enough to remind us how precious our natural world is, the tree also benefits the environment—and ultimately, us as well. After reading the following facts, the tree should be recognized as a true miracle of nature.

1. The tree as an efficient _CO2 store . Trees remove the greenhouse gas _CO2 from the atmosphere as they grow, thus making an important contribution to climate protection. On average, a single tree binds about 10 kg of _CO2 per year. A tremendous achievement!
2. The tree as part of the water cycle . Trees are responsible for evapotranspiration, meaning that water evaporates and, through cloud formation, causes precipitation elsewhere. Water is absorbed by the roots or in the form of raindrops and then released again.
3. Trees are the lungs of the city . Trees not only filter the air, but they also emit vital oxygen. A single tree can absorb up to 5 kg of air pollutants and produce 130 kg of oxygen in the same period.
4. The tree, as part of the forest, makes an important contribution to soil storage by creating buffer capacities that are available during rain and thus protect against erosion.

Although trees occupy a large part of our land area, their existence should not be taken for granted. Trees are an important part of our environment, providing many beneficial properties. However, in order to not only benefit from their advantages, I believe it is our duty to protect trees as best as possible. Ultimately, we all benefit from them.