Recently, my neighbors removed some bushes that line a public path in my neighborhood. This is common in our society: if a plant on your property doesn’t fit with your goals, it often gets removed. However, many people don’t stop to think about how their actions harm living things. Not only does this harm the individual tree, but it also harms the entire ecosystem.
Removing a large tree can have drastic effects on the environment. A tree provides homes for birds and insects, supports the soil and offers shade under the branches. In fact, one tree can support up to 2.3 million separate organisms throughout its life. Furthermore, trees absorb and store huge amounts of carbon dioxide, helping to lessen the effects of climate change. When you next consider removing a tree, consider the ecological role that it plays.
There are some exceptions, however. If a tree poses a danger to the structure of your house, it obviously makes sense to prioritize your own safety. In the case of invasive species that harm the ecosystem, those plants would need to be removed. Otherwise, please keep in mind the consequences your landscaping actions may have.
The sweet smell of freshly cut grass is another example. It fills the air in our neighborhoods as spring brings increased growth. However, that fresh, grassy smell is actually a distress signal. When you cut grass, it releases a chemical into the air warning nearby plants of the danger. Grass plants are commonly attacked by insects, and the danger signal allows them to prepare themselves and counterattack the insect predators.
Grass lawns are just one example of people treating plants as objects. We cut them and arrange them like home decor, not stopping to think about these living things. Grasses communicate between each other, showing how they are more than a growing green carpet around your house. It’s still fine to cut grass, but the overall mindset around plants needs to change. Plants are complex living things that play important ecological roles – not objects for us to move and cut as we like. Instead of removing trees for aesthetic reasons, consider their importance to the ecosystem and rethink your landscaping. If people develop more awareness on their environmental impact, then it will be easier for humanity to live sustainably. The first step towards a brighter future is more respect towards the living things around us.
