August 27, 2018

These exciting tree facts are all things you may not have expected!

Trees are a beautiful and important part of our world. From providing shade and shelter, to fruits and beautiful flowers, trees are more than just a breath of fresh air. To learn more about all of the important ways that trees contribute to society, read on.

1. Trees Provide Medicine

While it is generally common knowledge that aspirin was originally created from the bark of the willow tree, the medicinal properties of trees don’t stop there. Trees are a rich source of biological compounds, which makes them useful in various drugs. For example, clippings from yew trees are used to make certain chemotherapy drugs.

2. Scientists Have Used Social Media To Save Trees

Trees in the UK are known to struggle with Ash dieback, an invasive tree disease. In 2012, scientists launched an app called AshTag, which allowed people to photograph and report the locations of diseased trees.

3. Poison Apples Are Real

Poison apples aren’t just for fairytales. Real life death apples grow from the manchineel tree, which holds the Guinness World Record for World’s Most Dangerous Tree. Its sap causes blistering skin and blindness, and a tiny bite of one of its fruits can cause ulcers in the mouth and esophagus. It grows in Florida.

4. The World’s Oldest Tree Is In Sri Lanka

The tree known as Sri Maha Bodhi is the oldest surviving tree we know if. It was planted in 288 B.C. The tree has stood in a Sri Lankan temple for over 2000 years and his said to represent happiness and long plentiful life.

5. Tree Poaching Is A Big Problem

It seems unlikely that people would be able to steal an entire tree in the first place, let alone be able to steal one undetected, but this surprisingly common problem is actually a big one for US national parks. In fact, it has been estimated that about $1 million in lumber is stollen from Washington State each month alone. While trees can be tracked to illegal lumber mills by their DNA, unfortunately most landowners don’t realize their trees have been poached for so long that most poachers get away with it.

NATURAL SYSTEMS arborists are highly trained in Tree Removal, Tree Trimming, and Stump Grinding. Call us at (860)621-0008 to find out more about our expert arborist services in Southington and central CT.