I think that I shall never see,
A poem lovely as a tree
A tree whose hungry mouth is prest,
Against the earth's sweet flowing breast;
A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;
A tree that in may summer wear,
A nest of robins in her hair.
Upon whose bosom snow has lain,
Who intimately lives in the rain.
Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree"--Joyce Kilmer's, "Trees"
Do you look up into a big tree?
Do you felt this pang of sadness when you are seeing a dying tree?
The trees and I felt like we have this connection. That I look up to their branches and smile and try to reach and touch them when I pass that big acacia tree. And when I pass by this dying tree on the road, I felt this certain sadness, like I am going to lost a great friend.
Memories and the trees.
*Image is credited to Rain Tajon via www.bitlanders.com
When I was young, the "sign" that makes me know that I am in Ilocos Region are the trees. Trees that were planted on the national highway. From that eucalyptus trees on the roads of Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte to the acacia trees that are line up on both sides when we enter Ilocos Sur. Now, they are starting to disappear due road widening and where buildings are being put up.
And last October 25, I have seen more trees being cut. With the big trunks still on the side of the road, I tried to count how many were cut, counting them around ten is just heart breaking for me.
Reaching the mountainous part of Ilocos Norte, I pulled down the bus window and enjoyed the sight of mountains and trees, yes, after being saddened by the trees that were cut down, I am happy that there are still remained, in their roots, standing tall on the side and top of the mountains, that after how many years, they have kept and leave them there. And this is what I love going up north, the sight of the luscious greeneries of the mountains and the cold breeze.
Trees, for example, carry the memory of rainfall. In their rings we read ancient weather--storms, sunlight, and temperatures, the growing seasons of centuries. A forest shares a history, which each tree remembers even after it has been felled"--Anne Michaels
*Image is credite dto Rain Tajon via www.bitlanders.com
Trees, their important role to the planet and for us.
We all know what trees can do to us, to the whole planet, but some have taken them for granted. Cutting them down mindlessly for money, forgetting what they can give to us, more than money. And here are some of their important roles.
1. Trees provide oxygen. It is a basic knowledge, we were taught about this important role of trees when we were in elementary or maybe younger. In one year, an acre of mature tree can provide enough oxygen for 18 people. That alone is a great help for us to live well. Continuous cutting may mean, we are also "cutting" our life span. Somehow, some might have forgot or just "shrug" the idea of what oxygen can do to our body. And now it made me think, will there be a time when we will be also buying oxygen tanks just for us to live?
2. Trees help in cleaning the air. The idea of trees in cleaning the air, and the idea of having them planted on both sides of the national high way here, is like a "balancing act". The smoke coming from cars or any type of vehicles are causing air pollution, the role of the trees is to clean the air. Trees absorb odors and pollutant gases like nitrogen oxides, ammonia, sulfur dioxide and ozone; the particulates are being filtered out of the air by trapping on their leaves and on their barks. If we have more cars and lesser trees, aren't we killing ourselves slowly?
3. Trees acts as a cooler. Have you noticed that if you are under the tree or trees, you felt much cooler? Trees acts as a natural buffers of hars weather conditions. A well-forested lands are said to be consistently at least 2-4 degrees cooler during the summer and1-2 degress warmer during the winter compared to a deforested lands. It is a big help in lowering the production of smog, for the can reduce the speed of the wind up to 85kph compared to treeless areas. With the world getting warmer, with our dependece to electrical appliance to cool us down, trees can help us save some amount of money from our electric bill right?
4. Tree roots help in holding on soil, thus preventing soil erosion. Every time I pass to the mountainous areas of Ilocos Norte, the reason why I look up are the trees. The mountains are still full of trees and without them, the roads will be always closed due to erosion, and I am glad what the government has been doing to keep them up there.
5. Aside from air pollution, they also reduce the noise pollution. They help in buffering and abosbing urban noise. So, if the city has less trees along their major roads, honking cars will be more of irritating to the ears of the drivers. Now I know why I felt more relax in a place where there are a lot of trees, for I always enjoy a moment of silence.
6. Trees add beauty and reflection to our daily lives and they can heal. According to studies, chidlren with ADHD show fewer symptoms when they have an access to nature for nature aids concentration by reducing mental fatigue.
7. Trees provide food. This is most basic knowledge about trees. Who didn't experience climbing trees just to have something to eat? I have climbed a lot of trees, fruit bearing trees. Climbing can be fun and the fruits are healthy to eat too. BEST OF BOTH WORLDS right? Not just for humans, but also for animals.
*Image is credited to Rain Tajon via www.bitlanders.com
My thoughts with the trees and progress.
When the song "BIG YELLOW TAXI" by Counting Crows hit the music industry, realizations sets in. Should I be waiting that I can only see trees in museum? NO. The songs lyrics seems to be getting real lately. The government agency are giving more way to lessen traffic, but on the other side, we are lessening trees' space too. Cutting them down more, lessening our life span.
It may not be hapening in ten years, but still I get scared with the thought for the next generation. That they have to pay a cetratin amount just to see what a tree looks like, or buy their own oxygen tank. When they will be all wearing mask for the air is so polluted, when they have to pay their electric bills in the highset amount they could imagine due to the usage of air conditioners.
I know that the natural resources department are planting trees too for every trees that were being cut down, and I know some have to be cut down for they cause accidents, still...
A nation that destroys its soils destroys itself. Forest are the lungs of our land, purifying the air and giving fresh strength to our people"--Franklin D. Roosevelt
*Image is credited to Rain Tajon via www.bitlanders.com
