“When you have only two pennies left in the world, buy a loaf of bread with one, and a lily with the other.” Starting with the above lines, itself tells a lot about what trees in our mean and what a world would be if we don’t plant. Trees provide enormous benefits for animals and people in various ways, whether it be ecological, social or economical or a mixture of all three. However, planting a native species of plant or trees provide advantages above and beyond as compared non-native species.

Trees Role in Contemporary Times

With respect to situation we are going through whether it be outbreak of deadly COVID-19 to the economic hardships we are facing in the contemporary times, being a rationalist we should try to associate the role of plants and trees and how it played an small but an significant part and by doing that, we will probably a big question why plant a tree? Firstly, ecologically, trees perform an essential function that help animals and people to continue live. Trees traps pollutants that lead to greenhouse effect like carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide and dust particles as well. Trees reduce erosion by holding water and slowing rainfall, they release moisture into the air, and cool the air by intercepting and diffusing the suns rays. Trees moreover provide food shelter for wildlife. Secondly, socially, trees provide beauty, environmental awareness, inspire civic pride and ultimately have an positive effect on human psyche. Third and the most prominent, economically trees provide savings in energy od renewable and non-renewable sources.

Native Trees

In an layman language, a native trees is a species of plant diversity that was growing here before some phenomena that lead to loss of that trees, like industrialization, Natural calamities, etc resulting in the introduction of various invasive alien species(Buckthorns, loosestrife and maple for example) have significantly reduced the number of standing native trees ending in an devastating effect on local ecology. Plantation of native trees and plants helps to re-build the original eco-system of that particular region. Native species of trees and plants builds natural corridors in the urban landscape for wildlife which are migrating in nature, thus in absence of the native trees these migrating wildlife isn’t able to recognize their habitat and thus they became exploited and need of food and shelter increases. Native trees shed leaves much earlier as compared to the non-native trees species, major impact of this was on the short height trees as a result, sunlight was unable to reach to them, thus hindering the growth of the short trees. Native trees indeed are better suited to grow in the region are known to rather than an alien species(Non-native Species), as they are well habited to the climate and soil and once planted, require less fertilizer and water than of alien species. This will be an significant feature in order to economically sound by saving finance on fertilizers and conserving environment by saving excess water and keeps the region chemical free. Other major advantage of native trees is that they have been grown along the insect population thus have developed natural immunity and defenses to fight various pests, making them resistant to infestations of diseases and pests.

Conclusion

From the above known fact we can clearly say native trees should be preferred to non-native ones, just because it plays an major role in maintaining the economically as well as environmental aspect. Thus, the practice of planting of non-native trees seems an mere way of planting, but it has significant long term effects on our life and can be seen as sustainable development.