Having just returned from leading a Nature-Mindfulness Walk where I was discussing the reciprocal relationship that we have with trees, it appeared to be a good topic on which to write a longer article. Although you cannot really have a forest without trees, they still have additional significance within Forest Bathing as discussed here. Forest bathing activities should always be conducted in harmony with nature and where possible, should involve giving back to the natural world in some way.
Forest Bathing, Trees and Buddhism
The ethos of Forest Bathing has a lot in common with Buddhist practices and beliefs such as practicing mindfulness in forests and the ecological belief that we should be good stewards of nature. The Buddha of course came to enlightenment under a Bodhi tree, a sacred fig tree (Ficus religiosa), and Buddhist literature lists 21 different species of trees under which 25 different Buddhas attained enlightenment. Tree planting continues to be seen as an act of great religious merit, associated with health, happiness and peace within Buddhist cultures.
Reducing Pollution
As well as storing the carbon that they absorb, this process also removes a lot of the pollutants from the air, therefore the more trees there are, the less air-borne contaminants and the lower the atmospheric CO2 levels. Trees therefore reduce global warming when planted appropriately. And it is not only atmospheric pollution that trees can help to reduce, strategically planted trees and shrubs can also act as sound barriers and reduce noise pollution.
Phytoncides
Some of the beneficial effects of forest bathing are attributed to naturally produced substances known as phytoncides, which are like pheromones that trees produces that help to ward off insects and slow the growth of fungi and bacteria. There is a lot of evidence that when people are exposed to phytoncides, this helps to lower blood pressure, relieve stress and boost the growth of cancer-fighting white blood cells. Some common examples of trees that give off higher levels of phytoncides include oak, cedar, and pine.
Healthy Soils and Flood Defences
Tree roots bind soil together and reduce soil erosion, leading to healthier soils and also a reduction in the risk of floods.
Wildlife
The canopies of trees provide an important habitat for many animals, including birds, insects and tree-dwelling mammals such as squirrels. Tree canopies can provide protection to animals from sunlight, wind and cold temperatures. Many ruminant animals will eat leaves and small shoots as tree fodder.
Shade and Shelter
As well as providing food, trees also provide shade and shelter for ground dwelling animals, as we discussed in this article on the benefits of shelter belts. trees and hedgerows, as well as providing shade for humans. This shade also helps to reduce the buildup of heat in urban areas, particularly where there are lots of paved or tarmac surfaces.
Pharmaceuticals
Many modern pharmaceuticals are derived from chemicals that come from trees or plants. The bark of certain Willow trees, for example, contains salicin (named after Salix, the genus of the willow tree) which has been used for centuries as a pain reliever. It was the systematic study of such natural remedies that led to the discovery of salicin, and its refining and conversation to salicylic acid which was a fundamental step in the first production of aspirin. The leaves of many willow species also contain condensed-tannins and other components that livestock such as sheep or goats will often select to browse for their medicinal benefits. Similarly it was found that the bark of the cinchona tree, later identified as containing quinine, had fever-relieving properties and so was instrumental in the creation of the first medicines to treat malaria.
Other Medical Benefits
Studies of hospital patients have shown that they recover more quickly and require less painkillers when they have a view of trees from the rooms in which they are recuperating.
As can be seen here, trees not only provide us with pleasure, food, fuel, construction materials and shelter, they are also essential for life on Earth and their numbers are directly connected to the health of the planet and safety of the environment.
