Amazing Tree Facts That Will Make You Stop and Think

Trees are fascinating. There are trees still alive that have witnessed the rise and fall of civilizations. Have you heard about General Sherman? This is the largest living single stem tree on the planet. It's home is located in the Giant Forest of Sequoia National Park. Perhaps you've heard about Old Tjikko, which just happens to be the oldest individual cloning tree at 9,550 years of age.Some remarkable tree facts:

• Most people believe that trees receive most of their nutrition from the soil. Not true. It's estimated that trees receive up to 90 percent of their nutrition from the atmosphere. It's just one more reason why clean air is crucial to the entire planet.
• Trees die of old age. Not true. Trees don't die of old age. Insects, disease and people are the culprits. Among the oldest living trees are California's Bristlecone pines and the Giant Sequoias.
• Trees don't actually grow from the bottom up as most people assume. Trees grow from their top.
• At least 20,000 tree species populate the world. India and the Unites States have the largest single inventories.
• The Amazon Basin is home to the world's largest reservoir of trees, 81.5 million acres.
• There are species of trees that communicate directly with each other. Willows, when attacked by caterpillars and webworms, release chemicals that warn their neighboring willow trees. Neighboring trees react by releasing more tannin into their own leaves—leaving their leaves virtually insect-proof.
• Trees can inspire rainfall. By cooling the land around them and releasing moisture directly into the air through their leaves, a single acre of maple trees can release up to 20,000 gallons of water, or more, into the atmosphere each day.

Trees are essential to life because they provide food and oxygen. They also provide shelter, even medicine. But while their value is essential, there are times when trees can present a hazard, like when they block and or damage power lines, or when they're toppled by high winds and adverse weather conditions.Trees can then become a danger to human and animal life, and personal property. But beyond harmful or threatening conditions, trees can be pruned and cared for to add greater value and beauty to the landscape.Professional arborists, like those at Wauson Tree Service, are happy to visit your property and give you a free estimate of what it will take to place your trees on a regular maintenance/care schedule. We've got 50 plus years of experience helping neighbors like you beautify their landscapes, increase the value of their property and extend the lives of their trees.For a free quote, call today at 214-450- 8720. Or, email Walt {a} wausontreeservice {dot} com.