Benefits of Trees - Related to Five Elements

1. Earth:

Trees improve the soil by:

• Building the soil organic matter: Trees build the soil organic matter by providing fallen leaves, twigs etc. which are decomposed into humus by soil microorganisms.

• Nitrogen Fixation: Trees help fix atmospheric nitrogen with the help of some symbiotic bacteria (like Rhizobium) which grows on the root nodules of some plants (primarily the legumes).

• Retaining soil moisture: Trees help retain the soil moisture by reducing evaporation of water from the soil under its shade.

• Reducing soil erosion: Trees reduce soil erosion by holding the soil tight by its roots, thus preventing running water from carrying off the soil.

2. Water:

Trees improve the ground water by:

• Acting as natural filters: Trees act as natural water filters by collecting rainwater in their leaves and slowly releasing them in the streams and rivers.

3. Fire:

Trees use the energy of the Sun by:

• Producing Food: Trees use the energy of the Sun during photosynthesis and produces food with the help of water and nutrients.

4. Air:

Trees purify and cool the air by:

• Providing oxygen: Trees purify the air by producing oxygen in the air during photosynthesis.

• Taking away carbon-dioxide: Trees purify the air by taking away carbon-dioxide from the air during photosynthesis.

• Filtering dust: Trees purify the air by filtering dust and other particulate matter from the air by trapping them in their leaves and barks.

• Providing shade: Trees cool the air, acting as natural air conditioners, by providing shade under its canopy.

• Transpiration: Trees cool the air, acting as natural air conditioners, by releasing water into the atmosphere by transpiration from its leaves.

5. Space:

Trees enhance the beauty of the space through shade, silence, songs of birds and various other means.