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We Need The Trees

admin — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Trees are large and mighty but they are not invincible and, every day, thousands are chopped down. Don’t get me wrong, we use the wood from trees for a lot of different things, a lot of things that we, in fact, need to live. However, a lot of paper is created from trees and, unfortunately, a lot of paper is wasted when we don’t recycle or simply don’t see the need.

You’re probably asking yourself what the big deal is, right? There are billions of trees all over the planet and it never seems like we’re running out. Unfortunately, we are. If you don’t believe me then fire up that Satellite Star Internet and see for yourself. And trees aren’t the only thing we are running out of.

See, a lot of oxygen is produced from trees. In fact, trees are integral in the production of oxygen – they absorb all those harmful and non-breathable gasses and produce clean, pure oxygen. So what do you think happens when we remove all the trees – or severely reduce their numbers? Let’s just say it starts getting a little harder to breathe. That is why we need the trees – believe it or not, our lives depend on them.

Characteristics, Identification, and Misconceptions Of Broadleaf Trees

www.mightytrees.com — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Broadleaf trees generally have wide, flat leaves and shed annually. They are most likely found in regions with plenty of water and good soil. Most broadleaf trees are dedicious and produce flowers or fruit. The leaves of a broadleaf tree are flat and usually have a network of veins running through them. The flat surface helps the tree catch the maximum sunlight for the tree’s photosynthesis process. Broadleaf trees need a lot of nourishment, the leaves fall to the ground covering the roots annually. The nourishment from the leaves is needed by the tree for spring renewal.
Broadleaf trees are most commonly identified by their leaves. The leaves are broad and flat, and can be simple or compound, where a coniferous tree has thin needle-like leaves. To identify the type of broadleaf tree, look at characteristics like the symmetry of the leaf pattern on the stem and what type of fruit or flower does the tree produce. Online tree identification tools will help with the process.
The most common misconception about broadleaf trees is that they are all dedicious. While this is generally true, some broadleaved trees are evergreen. These trees can be found in warmer climates where the tree can retain their leaves all year round. Examples are broadleaf trees like magnolias and some oaks that live in the Southern United States

Non-Native Trees Introduced To North America

admin — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0000

The history of gardening contains many examples of exotic non-native trees transplanted to North America.

In the early nineteenth century, varieties of the flowering tree Wisteria were imported from China and Japan to enhance gardens in the American South. The invasive Wisteria has become common enough to create a problem in some areas of the country.

Ornamental citrus trees, such as the Meyer lemon tree, were imported to the conservatories of homes of wealthy Americans around 1900. Some were placed in the botanical gardens of major cities for the public to enjoy.

The transplantation of trees continued into the twentieth century. At the end of the World War II, the Japanese Emperor gave the famous flowering cherry trees to the people of Washington D.C. The legacy of these gift trees can be seen throughout America and Canada in many botanical gardens.

The industrialist Milton Hershey transplanted non-native plants and trees to his Arboretum in Hershey, Pennsylvania. The European Beech and the Katsura are examples of non-native trees that can be seen at the Hershey Gardens.

Whether invasive or not, non-native trees are a treat to see. Take advantage of these exotic wonders by visiting a botanical garden in your area.

Characteristics, Identification, and Misconceptions Of Conifers, Cone-Bearing Trees

www.mightytrees.com — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Trees. They shade us in the summer, put oxygen in the air year round – they are mostly the same, right? Wrong. Conifers, while mostly considered to be an evergreen, cone-baring seed pant with needle-shaped leaves, it isn’t always the case. Not all conifers are evergreen (such as Larch, Chinese Swamp Cyprus, Pond Cyprus, Swamp Cyprus, Dawn Redwood, and the Ginkgo Biloba) and not all evergreens are conifers. And not all conifers are trees – some are shrubs (such as the Yew). And while most produce cones, some have a fleshy aril (fruit) that surrounds each individual seed. And for the trees that produce cones, it can take 4 months to three years to reach maturity.

Most recognizable examples of conifers include cedars, Douglas-firs, cypresses, junipers, pines, hemlocks, and redwoods. Conifers tend to cover large areas of land, most commonly the boreal forests of the northern hemisphere, but they are also found in similar cool climates in mountain ranges further south. The narrow conical shape of northern conifers and their downward-drooping limbs help them stand against heavy snowfall. Many conifers have the ability to seasonally modify their biochemistry to make them more resilient against freezing.
Conifers hold great economic value, mainly for timber and paper manufacture; the wood of conifers is considered softwood.

The Differences Between Conifers and Broadleaf Trees

www.mightytrees.com — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Broadleaf trees tend to live in areas with nutritious soil and plenty of water and are mostly deciduous. These trees need plenty of nutrients to produce their leaves. Broadleaf trees produce a variety of leaves, from long to linear, and complex these leaves provide surfaces for the tree to catch the sunlight for the tree’s photosynthesis. Broadleaf trees produce flowers and seeds inside the fruit for pollination. When the weather turns cold, broadleaf trees will drop their leaves to the ground covering their roots with rich nutrients for the winter months.

Conifers grow all year round in all areas, including those areas with poor soil and less water and are mostly evergreen. These trees produce needle-like leaves. These needles are smaller, watertight, resistant to bad weather, more impervious to insects, and can photosynthesize all year long. Conifers have the ability to effectively use their limited nutrients. The small needles of the conifer do not catch as much sunlight as the broadleaf, but the tree effectively reduces the rate of photosynthesis in the winter months. Conifers produce cones for pollination. Conifers do not lose their needles in the winter months. Instead they slowly shed them and continuously replace them all year long.