THE VALUE OF TREES TODAY
People still rely on trees to provide a multitude of products of both tangible and intangible monetary value. These can be categorised as:
• Economic
• Social
• Environmental
Economic
Growing, tending, harvesting, processing and utilisation of timber and other forest products are important aspects of nearly all the world economies. Trees, directly or indirectly, provide employment and tradeable consumer products such as sawn lumber and paper. Trees also provide component products in the manufacture of clothes, cosmetics, tyres, rocket propellants, disposable nappies, tissues, cement products and many others.
More than 23,000 people are directly employed in the New Zealand forestry industry.
For more employment and economic information visit the ‘Essential Facts and ‘Careers and Training’ pages on this site.
Social
Many people appreciate the scenic beauty of trees and the tranquillity of the forest environment. Throughout the world, forests figure – often symbolically and mystically – in many cultures and religions.
Today, the recreational use of forests is increasing – from sightseeing, walking and bird watching through to more active sports like hunting, mountain biking, running and off-road driving.
Environment
Trees are a critically important influence on the environmental health of the world.
Through the process of photosynthesis, trees take carbon dioxide from the air and store it as carbon while at the same time releasing oxygen. They cycle water between the soil and the atmosphere and help to maintain rainfall levels. Leaves and branches dissipate rain and protect the underlying soil from erosive effects of downpours. Roots bind the soil and this also prevents erosion. All this helps to reduce the frequency and minimise the impacts of flooding and helps to maintain water quality. In some circumstances, trees keep ground water levels down, avoiding the saltwater intrusion problems that occur in parts of Australia.
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