We Need Trees
Trees are crucial to the planet. They –
- give oxygen
- store carbon
- stabilize the soil, reduce water runoff and erosion
- reduce pollution in waterways and flooding
- provide habitats for wildlife
- provide material for shelter
- provide shade in hot weather regions and urban areas, lowers temperature
Read the book Strange Trees: And the Stories Behind Them by Bernadette Pourquoi (grades K-3rd). With 16 species of trees it will be easy for your child to find a favorite or two to learn more about. The rainbow tree is a wonder. My family looked up actual photos and saw even more dramatic colors and found that you can buy a sapling. It needs a warm environment, so it needs to stay inside unless you are in a hot region. Then there is the bubblegum tree, on and on.
Then read the two books about the Kenyan political activist Wangari Maathai (1940-2011). Wangari Maathai: The Woman Who Planted Millions of Trees for older children by Franck Prevot and Wangari”s Trees of Peace by Jeanette Winter for younger children. Maathai is also included in several biographies about leading women. In 1977 she started the Green Belt Movement; over 57 million trees have been planted in Kenya. She received the Nobel Peace Prize for her incredible work.
Additional books:
For two- to four-year-olds, Britta Teckentrup’s book Tree: A Peek-Through Picture Book is perfect.
For 1st-3rd graders read The Magic and Mystery of Trees by Jen Green which covers the importance of trees for the forests’ ecosystem as well as the symbiotic relationship of moss and trees, fungi and trees.
For 1st-2nd graders the early reading book A Rabbit and Bear: A Bite in the Night by Julian Gough. Very funny (a bit ‘cheeky’) chapter book for early readers. Trees are disappearing – rabbit feels they are flying south – in the name of ‘Bigger, Better, Progress’. A story about interdependence, land conservation, patience, and friendship. This is #4 in the series of 5.
For 4th-7th graders Piotr Socha’s book Trees: A Rooted History has great details; adults will also enjoy it.
Plant a tree: the obvious activity is to plant tree saplings in your yard or look up your state parks, city parks to see if you can volunteer to plant a tree or do whatever they need to help with land conversation. This is an activity your whole family can participate in. We seriously need more trees.
Extra: Look up daisugi, the Japanese technique of growing cedar trees from other trees (started in the 1400s); can help to avoid deforestation. Straight up into the air — they look like gigantic bonsai.
www.treesisters.org Women’s organization for worldwide reforestation started in 2010 (office in England). Over 6 million trees planted in ten years.
www.nycgovparks.org NYC Department of Parks and Recreation program for planting trees. In the US there are many State Forest Centers – e.g. Hampton CT and Tillamook OR. Find one in your area to visit.