Trees are wonderful ‘living statues’ that help to reverse climate change (by giving out oxygen and taking in carbon dioxide), give homes to wildlife, provide free food (fruit, nuts) and reduce heat island effect (cool temperatures in cities). Yet many children know more about reality TV stars than trees on their own doorstep in the garden or park. And as it’s the next generation who will have to sort out the mess of what previous ones have done to our planet, knowing how to appreciate (and plant) trees is all for the good.
If planting trees with children, know how to make your garden safe for pets (to know toxic plants, trees and other items like fruit trees/pips to avoid). Many trees (including oak and yew) are toxic to horses. Never face indoor foliage facing gardens, to help stop birds flying into windows.
So how do you make a big tree interesting to a child? Very simple. Because trees are fascinating, once you get to know them! Nature campaigner Richard Louv writes that interviews with doctors show that although they treat less broken bones (no falling out of trees), today they treat more children with depression and repetitive stress injury (from typing on computers). He says one of his saddest days was when he asked a child what his favourite place was. The child replied ‘Indoors, because that’s where all the plug sockets are’.
Teaching children about the Latin names for trees is likely not going to inspire attention. But wait till you tell them that trees can talk to each other in the forest, and even warn baby trees when there are troublesome bugs around!
German forester Peter Wohlleben has written a wonderful book for children on the hidden lives of trees. He explains how they talk to each other (through the wood wide web!), how trees help each other if they get sick, and why planting trees in cities is so important.
Leaves are very important to trees, because they use their leaves to make their food. When trees are hungry – and they’re always hungry – they just hold their leaves up to the light. Peter Wohlleben
have your school plant trees
If you run a school, get involved with Kids Plant Trees. This initiative (which can also be used by communities) gets local people involved in planting trees, which not only stops climate change and helps wildlife, but provides free food for the school. And gets the children outdoors for fresh air and exercise!
When we grow older – if we have kids and bring them to this school, they’ll be able to see all the trees we’ve planted. James (age 10)
how HS2 is destroying our trees
Teaching children about the wonder of trees, means they don’t end up as tree-chopping adults. HS2 is England’s biggest white elephant, designed to build a high-speed railway that is destroying most of Buckinghamshire’s countryside. It won’t do anything to stop climate change (the science experts are all on board with this) and the planned stations even include airport hubs?
Once built (at tremendous cost that could be used to provide affordable slow train travel to areas that need investment), it will likely kill 22,000 wildlife a year (on a par with France’s TGV) including ducks and swans (with their babies), who often see flooded rail tracks and think they are rivers. Cubbington Pear Tree was England’s second oldest wild pear tree, located in Warwickshire. Despite over 20,000 signatures opposing the government, it was felled to make way for HS2.
