How Trees Help the Earth

Trees are some of the most important living things on Earth. They provide food, shelter, and clean air for people and animals. Without trees, our planet would look very different and be much less healthy.

 

One of the most important jobs of trees is making oxygen. Trees take in carbon dioxide, a gas that people and animals breathe out, and turn it into oxygen, which we need to survive. This process helps keep the air clean and fresh.

 

Trees also help keep the Earth cool. Their leaves provide shade, making parks and forests cooler on hot days. Trees also take in water from the ground and release it into the air, which helps create rain and keeps the land from drying out.

 

Another amazing thing about trees is that they prevent soil erosion. When it rains, water can wash away the soil. But tree roots hold the soil in place, stopping it from being carried away. This is very important for keeping farms and forests healthy.

 

Many animals depend on trees for their homes. Birds build nests in tree branches, squirrels live in tree holes, and insects find food in tree bark. Even people use trees for building houses, making paper, and creating furniture.

 

Unfortunately, many trees are being cut down too quickly. This is called deforestation. When too many trees are removed, it can harm animals, change the weather, and make it harder for people to breathe clean air. That’s why planting new trees and protecting forests is so important.

 

By taking care of trees, we help take care of the Earth. The next time you see a tree, remember how much it does for us and the planet!

 

Vocabulary Words and Definitions

• Oxygen – A gas in the air that people and animals need to breathe.

• Carbon dioxide – A gas that people and animals breathe out, which trees use to make oxygen.

• Erosion – The process of soil being washed or blown away.

• Deforestation – The cutting down of too many trees, which can harm the environment.

• Bark – The rough outer covering of a tree’s trunk.