General Discussion

Zorra

(27,670 posts) Wed Apr 29, 2015, 02:30 PM Apr 2015

I love trees. Trees are wonderful beings, and I actually really do hug them sometimes. [View all]

Is there something wrong with that? Why on earth would anyone in their right mind believe that hugging trees is some kind of bad thing. Let's stop allowing ignorant RW propagandists to control our national conversation right now.

Benefits of Trees

We plant trees primarily for their beauty and to provide shade but they do create many other benefits. Trees can sooth and relax us and help us connect to nature and our surroundings. The color green - is a calming, cool color that helps your eyes quickly recover from strain. By planting and caring for trees, you help improve your surrounding, reduce pollution, lower energy costs, improve the appearance of your community and increase the value of your property.

Environmental Benefits

A tree can be a natural air conditioner. The evaporation from a single tree can produce the cooling effect of 10 room size air conditioners operating 20 hours a day.

One large tree can supply a day's supply of oxygen for four people.

Trees increase the humidity in the air, help increase ground water recharge, reduce soil erosion and storm water run-off thus reducing the amount of water we consume and the need for new water treatment plant and storm water structures. A study in Salt Lake City revealed the tree canopy reduced surface runoff by 11.3 million gallons following a 1 inch rain.

(Much, much more!)

http://www.ncsu.edu/project/treesofstrength/benefits.htm

61 replies

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I love trees. Trees are wonderful beings, and I actually really do hug them sometimes. [View all] Zorra Apr 2015 OP

This message was self-deleted by its author 1000words Apr 2015 #1

They surely do. A giant redwood or sequoia is proof of that. nt Zorra Apr 2015 #19

Trees have a heart RobertEarl Apr 2015 #47

Well, sometimes you can take tree hugging a LITTLE too far snooper2 Apr 2015 #22

Drinking to excess can have amusing consequences when other people do it. Zorra Apr 2015 #24

Example #2: Florida Man pinboy3niner Apr 2015 #56

I don't hug trees - but i'm afraid of intimacy. el_bryanto Apr 2015 #2

People like you want to see trees "brutalized" with hugs. Renew Deal Apr 2015 #3

Tree hugging dirt worshipper checking in NightWatcher Apr 2015 #4

I outed myself as a hugger years ago. Now I hug trees in public. postulater Apr 2015 #5

When did all the things the Democratic Party used to stand for become unfashionable? liberal_at_heart Apr 2015 #6

Excellent points, thanks! Zorra Apr 2015 #40

+1 Blue_Tires Apr 2015 #43

I planted trees and hedge type shrubs around my treeless cabin fifteen years ago for Cleita Apr 2015 #7

I'm right there with you, Cleita. Zorra Apr 2015 #11

I love trees too. But not so much for their hugability. n/t lumberjack_jeff Apr 2015 #8

I belonged to the early Earth First! movement, but was against spiking trees. Zorra Apr 2015 #42

I love listening to the wind blow through trees and feel the wind on my face. liberal_at_heart Apr 2015 #9

Another Tree-Hugger checking in! Pooka Fey Apr 2015 #10

The first tree I hugged, was spared by the loggers... TheProgressive Apr 2015 #12

I hug trees, too. Luminous Animal Apr 2015 #13

With trees, I always feel I'm among friends. immoderate Apr 2015 #14

Trees are wonderful treestar Apr 2015 #15

Exactly. nt Zorra Apr 2015 #44

Me too shenmue Apr 2015 #16

Me too - tree hugger, air breather, water drinker, earth lover, sane person... polichick Apr 2015 #17

We still are. Zorra Apr 2015 #37

We sure are! And I would so love to participate in Part Two... polichick Apr 2015 #48

Right there with ya, polichick. If we get a chance at Part Two, Zorra Apr 2015 #53

I actually hugged a tree one time pipi_k Apr 2015 #18

One of my favorite words... tridim Apr 2015 #20

I have a print of me somewhere hugging a tree. I love trees, but the pic was for the benefit of ChisolmTrailDem Apr 2015 #21

They are much more rational than most people. :) LanternWaste Apr 2015 #23

Bumper sticker on my car says treegirl.... marlakay Apr 2015 #25

I really want one of those bumper stickers. Zorra Apr 2015 #30

My other stickers are marlakay Apr 2015 #57

Trees are people, too WheelWalker Apr 2015 #26

I too am a tree-hugger, climber, lover. Dont call me Shirley Apr 2015 #27

... Scurrilous Apr 2015 #28

I love trees, and I also talk to animals. Maedhros Apr 2015 #29

Those trees would kill you in an instant just for standing in their way! randome Apr 2015 #31

This message was self-deleted by its author 1000words Apr 2015 #32

Love Rush! Zorra Apr 2015 #34

You can choose from phantom fears and kindness that can kill Dr. Strange Apr 2015 #39

I never liked the Ayn Rand vibe that song has. nt Codeine Apr 2015 #59

Depends on the tree and where it is growing Botany Apr 2015 #33

Love trees MissDeeds Apr 2015 #35

Trees Polly Hennessey Apr 2015 #36

Been hugging em for years moonbeam23 Apr 2015 #38

Trees give us oxygen to breathe. Octafish Apr 2015 #41

And heat with which to stay warm. n/t lumberjack_jeff Apr 2015 #50

And houses and furniture and music. Octafish Apr 2015 #52

K&R! G_j Apr 2015 #45

Some people hug their cars. Whatever. The tree. like the car, can't feel the hug Vattel Apr 2015 #46

Trees are awesome. Terra Alta Apr 2015 #49

K&R! darkangel218 Apr 2015 #51

The Fascinating History of 'Tree Huggers'. The term "tree hugger" was coined in 1730... kristopher Apr 2015 #54

Wow! So all we tree huggers have a long and noble liberal populist history. Zorra Apr 2015 #61

Trees... Are so awesome! Omnith Apr 2015 #55

They do seem to be very poplar here pinboy3niner Apr 2015 #58

That's true, it's great. Omnith Apr 2015 #60