Trees contribute significantly to human society and the environment, extending far beyond their visual appeal. These versatile organisms provide tangible goods and support planetary systems. Their diverse products and services impact daily life, from the homes people build to the air they breathe.
Everyday Products from Trees
Trees are a primary source for many common materials, especially wood. Lumber, derived from various tree species, forms the structural backbone of houses and buildings. Different wood types are chosen for specific properties, such as durability for flooring or aesthetic grain for furniture.
Beyond solid wood, trees are the origin of the global paper industry. Wood pulp, processed from timber, transforms into an extensive range of paper goods, including writing paper, packaging, and newsprint. This widespread use underscores their economic importance in manufacturing and communication.
Nature’s Edible Gifts
Trees provide a significant portion of the world’s food supply. Common fruits like apples, oranges, and cherries grow on trees, forming a cornerstone of global diets. Many popular nuts, such as walnuts, almonds, and pecans, are also tree-borne, offering nutrient-rich food sources.
Trees also yield culinary ingredients like maple syrup. This sweet product is made by tapping maple trees for sap, which is then boiled to concentrate sugars. Approximately 40 liters of sap produce one liter of pure maple syrup. Trees are also the source of cocoa beans for chocolate and coffee beans.
Specialized Materials and Compounds
Trees produce specialized materials and chemical compounds. Natural rubber, for instance, is harvested as latex from rubber tree sap and used in tires, seals, and elastic products. Cork, a lightweight, buoyant, and impermeable material, is derived from cork oak bark and used for bottle stoppers, flooring, and insulation.
Trees are also sources of resins like amber, frankincense, and myrrh, historically used in perfumes, incense, and traditional medicines. Various tree parts yield natural dyes for textiles and essential oils for aromatherapy. Trees contribute to modern medicine, providing compounds like salicin from willow bark, a precursor to aspirin. Quinine, an antimalarial drug, is extracted from cinchona tree bark. The Pacific yew tree is the natural source of Taxol (paclitaxel), an anti-cancer drug.
Life-Sustaining Environmental Contributions
Beyond physical products, trees perform functions that sustain life. Through photosynthesis, trees absorb carbon dioxide and water, converting them into glucose and releasing oxygen. This process maintains breathable air. One acre of mature trees can produce enough oxygen for 18 people annually.
Trees also play a role in carbon sequestration, removing and storing carbon in their wood, leaves, and roots. This absorption helps regulate global temperatures and mitigates excess atmospheric carbon dioxide. Forests are carbon sinks, contributing to climate stability. Trees help regulate local climates by providing shade and releasing water vapor, which can lower urban temperatures. Their presence supports biodiversity by offering habitats, food, and shelter for species of plants, animals, and microorganisms.