Why do we care? Why should you care?
- Trees are the lungs of our planet and the bigger the tree, the more it breathes and the better you breathe. This is true whether the tree is one of millions in a tropical rainforest or alone in your garden.
- Trees support life besides our own. A big tree is home to thousands of creatures, many of which give us pleasure and all of which are important parts of the food chain.
- A magnificent tree, like a full moon or a prowling tiger, feels us with awe. We respect it as an elder, enjoy it as a thing of beauty, marvel at the resilience that has allowed it to survive in good health, sometime for many centuries.
- Big, beautiful trees add special character and interest to our landscape.
- A specimen tree can remind us of our history. Think of the ‘autograph tree’ at Coole Park signed by some of our greatest Irish artists, authors and playwrights--George Bernard Shaw, August John and Sean O’Casey, to name a few. We aren’t recommending autographing your trees but many trees are associated with historical events we want to remember.
- A specimen tree gives pleasure to many generations as it grows and develops. Children play under and in it. It can be a comforting backrest to the weary.