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Trees

✨ The green skyscrapers

Trees are large perennial plants with a woody trunk that supports branches and leaves. They belong to many different plant groups and can be found in almost every environment on Earth, from tropical forests to cold mountain regions.

Through photosynthesis, trees use sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to produce energy while releasing oxygen into the atmosphere. Their roots absorb water and minerals from the soil, while also helping stabilize the ground and reduce erosion.

Trees play essential roles in ecosystems by providing habitats and food for many animals, fungi, and other organisms. Forests made up of trees also help regulate climate by storing carbon, influencing rainfall patterns, and protecting biodiversity.

Many trees can live for decades, centuries, or even longer, depending on the species and environmental conditions. Humans rely on trees for materials such as wood and paper, as well as for fruits, medicines, and other resources. However, deforestation, pollution, and climate change threaten many tree species and the ecosystems that depend on them.

💡 Did you know?

Did you know that trees talk to each other underground? They use a secret network of fungi called the 'Wood Wide Web' to exchange information and food. Large 'mother' trees can even send energy to smaller, more fragile trees to help them grow and become strong!

The tree called 'General Sherman,' located in California, is the most voluminous living being on Earth! Imagine: its trunk is so wide that a whole group of friends would have to hold hands to go around it. It's like a huge living green tower that has been flourishing for centuries.

Some pines are true elders of the Earth: they can live for more than 5,000 years! This means some were already born when the pyramids were being built in Egypt. They have lived through all of world history while remaining peacefully planted in the ground. They are our planet's living memories.