Most people throughout the world have trees, shrubs, or both. Most people also think they know how to take care of them the right way. As long as they aren’t dying they are thriving. Right? In this article, we will give you all of the facts that everyone needs to know about trees and shrubs.
16 Things Everyone Should Know
#1. Both Improve Water Quality
Did you know having shrubs and trees in your yard can improve the ground water? This is extremely important news for anyone living off of their own well. Even if you get city water, these two plants can help filter the rainwater for that purpose!
#2. They Live a Long Time
Trees are actually the longest living organisms on Earth. It’s cousin the shrub can also last a very long time. If you are interested in planting either of these, make sure you put them in a place where you want them permanently. In fact, trees can live for thousands of years.
#3. Both Give Shade
Both of these lovely types of plants give shade. Trees can keep a building 20 degrees cooler in the heat of the summer. Shrubs give shade as well, and can protect windows on the sunny side from allowing too much heat inside.
#4. Some Can Talk to Each Other
Some trees and shrubs can actually talk to each other! It may seem strange, but take for instance the Willow tree. When this kind of tree is attacked by webworms, it sends out a signal that tells other Willows in the area to produce more tannin. This hardens the leaves so that the webworms cannot attack them!
#5. Do You Knock on Wood?
If so, you can thank natives. These people believed that good spirits lived inside of the wood, and you can draw them out by knocking. Think Pocahontas. You can brighten your luck by knocking on either!
#6. They Improve the Air Quality
The leaves of both filter out carbon monoxide and produce oxygen on a very large scale. Plant some shrubs and trees to improve the air quality of your neighborhood, and even the world! Just 1 acre of full grown trees can actually clean 26,000 miles worth of car emissions.
#7. Both Can Help Prevent Erosion
Both of these lovely green leafy plants can help prevent erosion. If you have issues with this in your yard, plant some shrubs in the area where you want to keep the soil together. You can plant trees as well, but be sure to start them from when they are young. Too many roots and planting at once can cause even more erosion in your yard.
#8. Either Can Be Detrimental to Your Water System
Trees, as well as shrubs, can grow considerable root systems. Roots reach toward water. This means that any tree or shrub planted too close to your underground water system can wreak havoc! Make sure you do your research before you choose your plant, because some are much worse offenders than others.
#9. They Save Water
If you live in an area that is prone to drought, or you just don’t want to water your lawn as much, plant a shrub or a tree. They actually save water by slowing evaporation. Both even transpire and increase moisture in the atmosphere. This is good for both your lawn and the whole world!
#10. Either Can Replenish Groundwater Supplies
It’s no secret there is water under the ground. It is called groundwater, and the more humans mess with our environment the more gets evaporated. Either trees or shrubs are good for this. Just make sure to mulch it. This keeps water where it should stay, under the ground.
#11. Shrubs and Trees Reduce Violence
Fun fact: greenery helps reduce the violence in a neighborhood. Although the exact reasons are unknown, places that have more shrubs and more trees have lower levels of violence. In fact, people report the level of fear is lower around greenery.
#12. Both Can Heal
Nature is a healer. It has been widely reported that being outdoors in nature can make people feel less stressed and less depressed. Turns out, people who are healing from surgery heal faster when there is a tree or a shrub outside of their windows. They even suffer fewer complications.
#13. Either Can Help You Work Better
Growing trees or shrubs outside of your log cabin will not automatically make you a better worker. However, your concentration will be increased and your mental fatigued will be reduced.
#14. Your Property Value May Increase
If you plant trees and you plant shrubs, your property value will most likely increase. Most current homebuyers like to find yards that have mature trees. Not everyone wants to plant their own trees. In fact, studies show that property value can be increased up to 15%. It’s even better if your neighborhood has plenty of greenery!
#15. Greenery Can Help Your Business
If you want to improve your business, plant some greenery. In fact, studies have shown that trees, shrubs, and other types of landscaping attract people! So, buy some shrubs and trees and get some business!
#16. Differences Between the Two
Shrubs normally stay under 13 feet high with stems less than 3 inches in width. Sometimes they stay under 10 feet. Either way, they are much shorter than trees. The key is that shrubs are low to the ground with several stems. Many more than trees.
Trees are characterized by being completely wood. That means things like Joshua Trees and Banana Trees are not actual trees. Additionally, the trunk should be 3 inches wide at 4 ½ feet tall. It also has a foliage crown unlike the shrubs. There should be no branches on the lower part of the trunk.
