Trees and the Health Problems They Can Help Prevent
Trees are beautiful, lush, and they clean the air we breathe. Everyone is encouraged to plant more trees to save the planet from the harmful effects of pollution, which means trees are real lifesavers. But apart from being an attractive garden accessory and planet defender, trees offer so much more, particularly in terms of human health.
Studies have shown that trees can also help prevent asthma and other respiratory diseases. Moreover, they provide protection against heat stroke, depression, and sleeping problems. Now, that should convince you to plant a tree or two in your yard. And if you have a noticeably unhealthy tree, you can hire tree trimming professionals in Sandy, Utah, and other areas to resolve the problem.
That said, let’s see what diseases a tree can help prevent.
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Asthma and Other Respiratory Illnesses
Researchers at Portland State University performed a study which concluded that trees help prevent asthma and other respiratory illnesses. They did the study by measuring the levels of nitrogen dioxide in the air around Portland. Nitrogen dioxide is an air pollutant that causes a number of respiratory diseases, including asthma.
The study found that the amount of tree cover had a favorable impact on nitrogen dioxide levels, and therefore, planting more trees can help remove this pollutant in the air altogether. Although the researchers claim that more studies should be conducted, the results from their study alone had clearly proven that trees eliminate air pollutants that cause respiratory illnesses.
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Heatstroke
City trees can reduce the summer heat by 2 to 4 degrees Fahrenheit, which may not sound like a lot, but just enough to protect people, especially the elderly, from heatstroke. Trees provide shade in sidewalks and pavements which help in keeping the severe heat under control.
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Stress and Depression
Seeing rich greenery can soothe depression. It can also inspire one to engage in physical activity and social interactions. Nature also has known stress-reduction benefits, which are essential for better physical health.
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Sleeping Problems
A study published in Preventive Medicine’s September 2015 issue has shown that being close to nature, especially with lots of green spaces, can help induce better sleep. Greenery is found to aid in insufficient sleep in people of all ages.
Tree Health Maintenance Tips
If we need trees to boost our health, then certainly, trees also need to be kept healthy for them to provide us with the best protection.
Trees don’t need a lot of meddling, so it would be best to leave them alone for the most part. When constructing something near a tree, make sure it doesn’t get too close. Even if you think you’re far enough, remember the roots; it can actually extend two to three times farther than their branches. For the tree’s safety, avoid construction anywhere within 60 feet of a mature tree’s soil area.
If you’re trimming your own tree, make sure to do it carefully to avoid nicking the bark. Ensure that you’re mulching your trees’ bases regularly. Wood chips, shredded autumn leaves, and other biodegradable mulch can be used. Mulching protects your trees from lawn equipment and secures the moisture in the soil.
Trees are generally low maintenance, especially older ones, so they don’t need a lot of watering and fertilizing unless they’re only three or four years old. In dry weathers, find out if your trees are drought-resistant, because watering them may get them sick, or worse, deceased.
Research on tree diseases so you’d be aware once you spot some signs. Inspect your garden regularly to be sure that all your plants are healthy. If you haven’t got much time for tree and garden maintenance, professional arborists can help you. If you want to help out the environment you can even win prizes for saving trees.
Now that we know that trees offer much more than environmental health benefits, we should be more appreciative of them and start doing our research on the best trees to plant in our yards. By doing so, you can influence your neighbors to do the same.