In Love With Trees

Ok, I’ll admit it; I am a tree lover, not to be confused with a tree hugger. From the time I could climb the maple tree in our backyard so as to be hidden in its shady embrace in order to read my favorite books undisturbed I have been in love with trees. I also know that not all people feel this kind of passion for trees, especially farmers who often find trees a nuisance and work hard to keep them out of field boundaries and fence lines. Nothing could be easier to farm than flat treeless ground. But that being said is treeless really better? Trees offer shade for livestock and farmer alike, act as a windbreak and wildlife habitat, and prevent soil erosion. According to scientists from the University of Delaware planting three rows of trees around poultry farms can cut emissions of dust, ammonia, and poultry house odors, and help reduce neighbor complaints. So while trees can at times be an irritant to farm around the benefits they offer far outweigh their nuisance factor. For me, there is truly nothing that quite signifies strength, beauty and endurance like a tree.