Trees and humans have always had a symbiotic relationship. Whether it’s decorating a tree to celebrate the Christmas holiday or exploring our family trees, many of us have a deep connection with them.
Maybe you climbed a few as a kid or sat on a swing underneath the shade of one. Maybe you planted a tree for a charitable cause recently or have spent years watching a sapling grow in your front yard.
Whatever your experience with trees, we get it. Our appreciation for trees is one of the reasons we love what we do. That love and passion is the driving factor in why Mr. Tree is an industry leader in Portland tree service.
We not only have a fond appreciation for trees, but we also have a deep understanding of them. Here are just some of the reasons trees and humans have such a symbiotic relationship.
Essential to Survival
For starters, trees are essential for human survival. We literally cannot exist without them. That’s because, in order to survive, we’re reliant on the oxygen trees provide.
Humans breathe in oxygen and breathe out carbon dioxide. Conversely, trees absorb energy from sunlight through the process of photosynthesis and then use that energy to take in carbon dioxide from the air as well as water from the ground. The end result is that trees release oxygen back into the air.
This means that trees rely on carbon dioxide from humans, and humans depend on oxygen released from trees. The circular nature of this relationship contributes to the symbiosis between trees and humans.
Beyond providing us with the oxygen we need to breathe, trees provide nourishment for our bodies and shelter for our families. As a kid, you may have even had a treehouse. There’s a reason they’re so popular. There’s a certain amount of comfort in being suspended between trees and surrounded by nature.
It may be impractical to live in a treehouse as an adult, but wood can still provide a roof over our heads. In fact, wooden roofs last longer than asphalt roofs and even provide better insulation.
But trees help us survive in even more ways. During harsh winters, we’re able to burn wood from trees to keep us warm. In the summertime, we can plant trees and harvest their fruit. We can even tap maple trees for their sap in the spring and fall and make maple syrup with it.
From helping us breathe to providing shelter, warmth, and sustenance, trees are vital to human existence.
Nourishing to the Soul
In addition to providing nourishment for our bodies, trees also provide nourishment for our souls. Trees enhance the aesthetic value of our surroundings, creating a beautiful setting that changes with the seasons. Flowering trees blossom in spring, brightening our horizons. In fall, leaves shift color, dotting the landscape with deep reds, vibrant oranges, and golden yellows.
By brightening our yards, trees improve the aesthetic value of our homes. They can even help improve our moods. Being surrounded by pleasant views can make us feel more at peace and improve our overall well-being. In return, we help trees flourish and grow by mulching and watering them. By caring for trees, we nourish them and assist them in reaching their full potential.
The aesthetic value trees provide can even translate to monetary value. Trees often add to a home’s property value. After all, one of the first things a prospective homebuyer sees when touring homes is the front yard.
The true beauty of a tree, though, goes beyond aesthetic or monetary value. Trees can create lasting family memories. Think of the joy in building a treehouse or swing set for your kids or grandkids to play on. There’s really nothing more nourishing to the soul than that.
Intertwined with Mankind
Beyond the practical value of trees, they also have great symbolic value. Humans often liken themselves to trees. For instance, we talk about planting roots and mapping out our family trees. This symbolic language shows that humans and trees have been intertwined since the beginning of time.
Likewise, in literature, history, and folklore, there are tales of well-known characters and historical figures interwoven with trees nearly as recognizable. It’s hard to think about George Washington, for instance, without thinking about the legend of him chopping down the cherry tree. And then there’s John Chapman, better known by the name Johnny Appleseed, a moniker he inherited because he traveled the country planting apple trees.
There are many Biblical references to trees as well. In the book of Genesis, for instance, there’s mention of the tree of life and the tree of knowledge of good and evil. In this context, the tree of life symbolizes eternal life. The tree of life appears in many religious and mythological traditions and is yet another example of the symbiotic relationship between trees and humans.
Trees have become a universal symbol representing many different things among religions, philosophies, and cultures. Trees are often symbolic of interconnectedness, transformation, and fertility. They represent power, prosperity, and wisdom. They grow, flourish, and rise above.
Our Responsibility
There are myriad ways trees provide value to our everyday lives. But in order to truly reap what we sow and take advantage of these great benefits, we have to do our part to continue the symbiotic relationship. That means we have to water and prune them and provide our trees with proper care and maintenance.
That’s where we come in. Mr. Tree can help you with all your tree service needs, from planting to removal. We’ll even provide you with a free quote because we believe in the value of what we do. As Frank Lloyd Wright once said, “The best friend on earth of man is the tree. When we use the tree respectfully and economically, we have one of the greatest resources on the earth.”
