Trees are not just a key to the natural ecosystem, they are an essential part of our life experience. From majestic individual trees that have historic significance or that are simply beautiful, to a quiet grove of greenery we seek for solitude, trees enrich our life experience simply by just being there. Trees are the longest-lived and largest plant form on Earth and throughout recorded history trees have been acknowledged as symbols of power, wisdom, fertility and life.

Trees are also symbols of immortality, being able to live to considerable age. Pando, a Trembling Aspen located in Utah, USA is considered the world’s oldest living tree. Pando is estimated to be over 800,000 years old. Pando is a clonal colony of a single male Quaking Aspen. This massive tree’s root system covers 107 acres and is estimated to weigh in excess of 6,000 tons which makes it the heaviest known living organism in the world.

Throughout the world many different species of trees live amazingly long lives. The verified oldest measured ages are:

Norway Spruce (Picea abies) 9,550 years
Baobab (Digitata Adansonia) 6,600 years
Great Basin Bristlecone Pine (Pinus longaeva) 4,844 years
Alerce (Fitzroya cupressoides) 3,622 years
Giant Sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum) 3,266 years
Huon-Pine (Largarostrobos franklinii) 2,500 years
Rocky Mountain Bristlecone Pine (Pinus aristata) 2,435 years

Because of their potential for longevity, trees are frequently planted as living memorials. We become attached to trees that we or those we love have planted and tended.

Trees add beauty and grace to any locale. Blossoms in the spring, verdant summer foliage and breath-taking colors in the fall; trees mark the seasons as they enhance the beauty of world. They make life more pleasurable, peaceful and relaxing. The majesty, endurance and strength of trees imparts a cathedral-like quality as they help us to experience a primal connection with the earth and our most deeply held cultural and spiritual values.

The tree has always been a cultural symbol. The tree is often used to represent nature or the environment itself. In South America, a tribe of Indians hold the belief that the trees of the forest hold up the sky. According to ancient tribal legends, the downfall of the trees will precipitate the destruction of Mother Earth.

Since ancient times, cultures around the world have honored trees with reverence and respect. Cultures in Australia and Asia regard the trees as mythical ancestors. Trees were often worshipped as the living embodiment of their gods and were believed to have holy medicinal applications and miraculous healing qualities for the body, mind and spirit.

The Druids of Europe were particularly influenced by trees and believed that trees possessed great mysterious powers. The Ancient Greeks are also known to have had a highly developed respect for the nobility and power of trees. Painting and pottery from the period display images of gratification and reverence. The Greek culture held the Bay Tree in especially high esteem as the tree was dedicated to their God Apollo and his young son Aesculapius and was held in sacred honor. Aesculapius was the God of Medicine and thus the Bay Tree was believed to have healing power and was used in many medical potions.

Built in the mid-12th century as a tribute to the Mother of the King, Ta Prohm Temple in southern Cambodia is the undisputed capital of the Kingdom of the Trees. The mystical and enchanting jungle temple’s beauty is explored with delight and left with deep regret. It remains virtually untouched by archaeologists except for the clearing of a narrow pathway for visitors. Because of its natural and pristine state, one can experience the wonder and joy of the early explorers when they discovered these amazing ancient monuments in the middle of the nineteenth century.

Wreathed in silvery mist and shrouded by dense jungle, the temple of Ta Prohm is ethereal in every aspect and conjures up a romantic mysterious aura. Banyan, kapok and fig trees spread their gigantic sprawling roots over giant stones, probing walls and tearing terraces apart as their branches and leaves intertwine to form a lush sheltering canopy over the structures. Trunks of these noble trees twist amongst stone pillars and over cobbled walls. The strange, haunting charm of the temple trees entwines itself about you as you go, as inescapably as the roots have wound themselves about the walls and towers. When visiting the awe-inspiring Kingdom of the Trees one quickly becomes aware of how powerfully present and fully alive trees are and one can not escape the all-encompassing connection trees provide in the intricate and fragile web of existence.

More than 8,000 tree species, 10 percent of the world’s total, are threatened with extinction. Destruction of forests and woodlands and unsustainable logging of valuable timbers stands are causing the devastation of many important species. Clearing and burning of our forests leads to increased levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide, a significant contributor to global warming.

It saddens the soul to realize that the majority of the citizens of the Earth are so accustomed to seeing trees that they take them for granted, forgetting that these noble entities are fundamental to our very existence. Trees act as the living lungs of the planet, sequestering carbon dioxide and returning to us precious, life-giving oxygen.

Trees have numerous aesthetic and economic benefits beyond their important role in carbon sequestration and oxygen production. Trees offer shelter, filter water, cleanse the air of pollution, moderate the climate, help prevent soil erosion as well as providing wildlife habitat, scenic beauty and a plethora of items we use daily. We rely on trees for paper products, building materials, fuel, food, medicine and more.

Benefits of Tree Planting

We all desire abundant forests for our children and grandchildren. Trees maintain sustainable soils and control erosion. By retaining soil in place with their root mass, deflecting wind-driven rain with their canopies and contributing nutrients with their leaves, trees are crucial to sustaining and improving the earth’s ecosystem.

Trees cleanse our air and water. From auto and factory emissions and ozone in industrialized areas to fertilizer and pesticide runoff from rural farms, trees absorb toxic pollutants as they recharge ground water and sustain streamflow. Trees also combat global warming. As trees grow they remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, the major contributor to global warming.

We depend on trees for their nutritional bounty. Fruit and nutmeats are a staple of diets around the world. A fruit tree can live for more than forty years and produce more than 10,000 pounds of fruit. A tree truly gives life. Apples are one of the most popular fruit tree choices and a mature apple tree can produce up to 500 apples in a season. Consider planting pear, plum, cherry, apricot, orange, lime, lemon or banana trees. Research what will grow well in your local area. Plant and enjoy an organic harvest grown in harmony with nature. Nothing tastes sweeter!

Trees are used world-wide as landscape amenities to soften the harsh outline of buildings, create green spaces in communities, provide privacy, screen unsightly views and dampen noise pollution as well as beautify the property. Shrubs and trees, properly planted and tended on a residential or commercial lot can significantly increase real estate value. Mature, healthy trees add an average of 20 per cent to a property’s value.

Planting trees saves energy. Trees planted strategically around our homes will decrease cooling costs in summer and provide a windbreak against the cold winds of winter, thus saving on heating expenses. Depending on species and maturity, the cooling shade of trees can reduce home energy consumption by up to 20 percent. Air temperature in the vicinity of trees is cooler than that away from trees. The larger the tree, the greater the cooling effect. Tree planting in urban areas moderates the heat-island effect caused by concrete paving and heat absorbing buildings.

Planting trees feels good! It is immensely satisfying to plant a tree; you are happy in the knowledge that this gift to the earth will bring joy, shelter and sustenance to our children, grandchildren and countless future generations.

Environmental Stewardship

Problems caused by massive and increasing levels of deforestation worldwide has raised awareness of environmental issues and the crucial role forests play. Climate change is the largest environmental issue the world faces this century. People of all ages throughout the world agree that we must act. However sometimes the task seems overwhelming, the challenge too global for any one person to make a difference. Wrong! Every individual act has rewards and consequences.

If we look at our primitive cultures, most or all of these people worshiped or revered the earth. They knew the earth gave to them gifts to help them in their daily lives. In return, they revered the earth as a precious commodity. From this gratitude a bond was formed and each flourished in it.

Today we are still stewards of the planet-although most of us do not know it or accept the job. Regardless, the earth is here for us and we for it. When we study the older pagan cultures we see that the rituals created an effect on the group that practiced them: they felt a communion with the earth. The chanting by Tibetan Monks, or beating of drums in rituals has a purpose of connecting us to the earth, as well as healing the earth. The vibration of the sounds changes us and the lands responds to our growth.

We have a symbiotic relationship with the earth. It is a life form that responds to its inhabitants. As we evolve the earth changes. As millions live out their days angry, sad, depressed, anxious, etc… those feeling and thought forms vibrate within to affect the environment.

Our essence is really energy and it is never just contained within the body. Whatever we are emoting the earth and everything else is absorbing. The more we clarify our core essence, the more clarity we have in ourselves. Through our inner exploration, we become an open vessel to give and receive more in our life. We are more conscious, and connect to everything more. When someone who is conscious brings their attention to the space of nature, it creates an expansion for everyone.

The Hopi Indian elders welcome the sun every morning. They believe the sun would not shine on the earth without this invitation. I perceive this ritual as an acknowledgment that the sun, the earth, and humans in communion creates something much bigger than the individual entities. Tibetans believe their chants create a vibration that goes out across the world to facilitate peace.

We are beginning to see that solving the world’s problems begins with us. People have changed tremendously in the last two thousand years. As we identify and resolve our own inner pains and conflicts, we can let go of our personal chains that bind us to a denser suppressed world. As we create and live in harmony with ourselves, we send out that attunement; and all benefit, including the earth. [—-]

As we spend time in prayer, meditation, walking in the woods, or other centering activities, we develop what doctors call parasympathetic nervous system in our active life. Doctors say it is related to sleep but an awake parasympathetic energy expands consciousness. It is a place where creative and psychic abilities can be developed. Most people function in the sympathetic nervous system, which is related to all forms of action. Then, when they sleep the parasympathetic is activated. Functioning in the parasympathetic during waking hours brings more of a magical power within us. It is being in an awareness that is relaxed. Nature is functioning in an energy like the parasympathetic.

Being in harmony does not mean that you should avoid the emotions that you are experiencing. If you are angry, fearful or sad it is important to be present with it, process it, and come to resolution with your feelings. One of the main reasons people stay angry or depressed is that they are not getting in touch with their emotions in their present or their past. Those unresolved feelings are like energetic weights that prevent us from evolving to a lighter vibration.

When we can look at our limitations, do work that centers us and seek an intimate connection to the earth, we open to a possibility of a communion with the earth. We become a clear vessel to receive its messages and energies. We and the earth can be a conduit for the expanded energy that is sent out to every one. It is a process of inviting the connection to happen with our planet, receiving the energy of the planet, and then letting it come out of you. It is sending a more conscious human energy out. With the assistance of the planet, the energy is bigger than what we could do as individuals.

Something that has occurred in several cities in the world is that groups of people would meditate around a clock in neighborhoods that had high rates of crime. In all cases the neighborhood crime rates significantly improved. It is called the ‘Maharishi Effect’: if one percent of the population practiced Transcendental Meditation there would be measurable improvements for the entire population of the planet. I find this concept significantly valuable; it is proof that our intention influences everything around us.

The rain forest is made up of layers which will all have a different characteristic and be the home for a range of different birds, animals and insects. They will also support a huge variety of plant life which will vary according to the rain forest layers in which they exist. There are five rain forest layers which are clearly definable.

The lowest is the forest floor. Much of the sunlight does not penetrate here and in fact only around 2% of the sunlight reaches the floor. This layer will be home to millions of micro organisms and invertebrates which live amongst the fallen leaves. There will be some mosses and ferns growing in the warm and damp. Many larger animals will be found here including big cats, elephants and gorillas.

Next will be a shrub layer which is home to many varieties of shrubs and ferns. The rain forest layers then continue with a layer of small trees called the understory. Although these are small in comparison to the taller trees of the forest, they can still reach up to around 20 metres in height. These will grow until they are just under the canopy of the forest and will wait there until they find a space to grow into. You will find birds, snakes, butterflies and frogs here and the whole area will be filled with activity and colour.

The canopy, next layer up, is probably the best known of the rain forest layers. The trees will be up to 35 metres tall and form a canopy over the lower layers keeping out much of the light. Many monkeys make this area their home, as do sloths, snakes, lots of insects and some frogs and lizards.

Above the canopy will be the emergent layer. This is the highest of the rain forest layers and comprises the tops of the highest trees. It is not nearly as dense as the canopy and the trees almost look like umbrellas opened up over the top of the forest. The wildlife in this area is similar to that of the canopy although the animals may be smaller. You are not likely to find sloths, but there will be some small monkeys. This is a very difficult area to study due to its inaccessibility. Recently, however, there have been some walkways established so that researchers can record the activity in the layer.

Roses are the common flowering plants in almost every garden. Their flowers come in different colors like pure white, cream, red, yellow, and even green. Roses can grow in different types of weather and they can withstand extreme colds of winter and heat of the summer. Some rose varieties bloom once a year and some might have multiple blooms in a year. Choosing a rose variety depends on your area and weather condition. Some varieties may grow but may not bloom on your location so it is better to research what types of roses are suited to your garden. You can check the list of names of roses and their descriptions on the websites that are dealing with roses.

There are more than 150 species or varieties of roses from around the world. You can get a complete list of its names by searching through the net. The list of names of roses is organized according to their colors or common names. Roses are available in red rose varieties, pink/purple/dark pink varieties, orange/peach varieties, yellow rose varieties, green rose varieties, white/cream/ivory roses, mixed colors/variated roses, and spray rose varieties. The green rose has the least number of varieties named F Green, Supergreen, and Amandine. Red Roses has the Black Beauty, Black Baccara, Amore, Jaguar, El Toro, and more. Pink rose lovers can have the Ravel, Cool Water, and much more. If you like peach or orange roses you can find the Amsterdam, Lambada, Mercedes, Glitter, etc. The April, Sphinx, New York, and Sunbeam are the common yellow rose varieties. The white roses that symbolize purity are the Silk, Beach, Aquafresh, and more of this kind.

Those are the just some of the common names of rose varieties that were identified by the colors. Some varieties may have mixed colors. They are the Alliance, Royal Renate, Circus, High Society, Full House, and many more. Another rich variety, the spray rose variety has the Macarena, Surprise, Lemonade, Santa Rosa, Tamango, and many more. More of the other varieties and species are included in the complete list of names of roses that are posted in some websites by rose breeders. The breeders are the ones responsible for the existence of over a hundred rose varieties. Roses are like humans, when two roses from different colors are bred the outcome is a new variety that exhibits the properties of the parent roses.

If you are planning to have your own variety through cross breeding, you have to start in breeding the varieties that grows well in your area.

It is strange but true! Yes, the leaves and trees breath like humans. They have small holes called stomata. Trees breathe in and out through these holes. They breath a little differently at night than they do during day. We live by breathing the oxygen in the air. This oxygen was made inside the trees and breathed out by them. If all trees were to dry up and die ,there would be no more oxygen and all living things would die.

During winter in the northern countries there are fewer hours of light each day than in spring or summer. It is colder, too. This means that the roots and leaves of certain kinds of trees take a rest. The trees do this by dropping their leaves until spring comes again. Even though its leaves have fallen, a tree dos not rest completely. It is busy making buds that will form new leaves and flowers in spring but there are some trees that can stand the cold better than others. Pine trees are among those that do not mind the cold and do not lose their leaves even in winter. When spring comes and their new leaves come out, the older leaves just drop off which are called evergreen trees.

Trees like the cherry and ginko, which lose their leaves in winter, are known as deciduous trees, while those like the pine, which retain their leaves even in the winter are known as evergreen tress.