Have you considered the purpose of trees lately? They serve many functions, including providing food, shade, wildlife habitats, windbreaks and lumber. Still others are planted so that we might simply enjoy their beauty, whether it’s for brilliant fall color, fragrant flowers or evergreen boughs. Whatever their purpose, trees are our friends.

The oldest living tree species in the world is the Bristlecone Pine.

Photo Credit: Kurt Weddington

Unless you’ve seen the amazing sequoias and redwoods, you probably can’t truly appreciate the nobility of trees. In some parts of the county, these plants are scarce. The plains and the desert climates are more suitable to shrubs and scrubby trees. Along the East Coast, thick hardwood forests are still common in rural areas, while urban areas pride themselves on maintaining tree-lined streets.

Elementary school students are taught that trees “breathe in” carbon dioxide and “breathe out” the oxygen that we need to live. In addition to that very basic (and necessary) benefit of trees, there are economical and psychological benefits of trees: From an energy perspective, trees can reduce heating and cooling costs by shading homes from the sun in summer and providing a windbreak in winter. And a more direct value of trees in the landscape is increased property value compared with similar properties without trees.

Many people become emotionally connected to trees. Local protests to save old trees are common when municipalities determine a tree is in the path of “progress” (too often, that means parking lots and road expansion). Some trees are recognized with distinction as being the oldest or largest of its kind in an area.

Others have great historical significance. In fact, you can visit American Forests Historic Tree Nursery Store to purchase a tree with historic roots – literally. Each tree offered on that site is an offspring propagated from a tree that was connected to famous people, events and places. (The program is sponsored by the nonprofit conservation organization, American Forests.)

And then there are just some trees – like the one you grew up climbing in – that simply hold a special meaning all their own.

Because trees grow over a long period of time, they’re often planted as a living memorial for a loved one. Trees make great gifts any time of year, too. For example, you might consider giving a tree as a baby gift, so the family can chart the growth of the child along with the growth of the tree.

It’s not necessary for everyone to know the difference between a maple and an oak (much less a pin oak and a willow oak), but there are certainly opportunities to learn to recognize – and ultimately appreciate – a few good trees!