It’s that time of year when we see trees lovingly decorated and twinkling in family room windows only to be thrown out with the recycling weeks later. I think of the time, energy and resources it took to grow the trees that have been cut down before their time and my heart aches a little when I see them uprooted for a temporary decoration. I’m reminded of the importance of trees for our ecosystem and the overall health of our planet. They’re a vital ingredient to our own health and the fight against climate change. Here are some reasons why trees are so important to life on this planet:

1. Trees absorb excess CO2, preventing it from building up in our atmosphere while also releasing oxygen to help us breathe.

2. Trees absorb pollutant gases from the air like ammonia, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides.

3. Trees help keep our cities cool by providing shade and releasing water vapour into the air, breaking up urban “heat islands”.

4. Trees help to reduce water pollution by acting like a sponge and allowing water from rainfall to absorb into the earth beneath the tree, filtering it and preventing stormwater carrying pollutants into the ocean.

5. Trees prevent soil erosion when planted on hillsides and slopes by slowing runoff and holding soil in place.

6. Trees provide food for humans and non-human animals.

7. Trees provide homes and shelter for birds, squirrels, insects and other animals.

8. Trees are shown to be healing for for medical patients (did you know that patients with with a view of trees out of their window on average show fewer health complications and heal faster?).

9. Trees heal our mental state and exposure to trees aids concentration, clarity, mindfulness and brings a sense of calm helping with conditions like anxiety and depression.

Needless to say I don’t house a fir tree at Christmas - instead I prefer to string lights around my living fiddle leaf fig tree - but you know I’m all about taking positive action rather than simply relying on passive action and that’s where Treedom comes in. With Treedom we can give the gift of a living tree! With just a few clicks - perfect for last-minute gifters - we can plant a tree of our choice - for example a baobab, avocado, cacao or coffee tree - name it and add a dedication to our loved one. Not only is this a positive impact gift but it’s also a great way to show someone you love that you’re thinking of them. Not to mention a perfect gift for environmentalists, minimalists and travelers!

Each tree is photographed and geolocated so we can watch our specific trees grow and thrive in their nurseries and then their permanent homes. By planting a tree we’re also giving the gift of reforestation, biodiversity, CO2 absorption, support for local farmers, training and income opportunities and helping combat soil erosion and desertification. Treedom is supporting 10 of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (see below image) and the livelihoods of local farmers. Last year I gifted Peter an avocado tree and it’s been so lovely to watch it grow over the year and know that it goes some way to supporting both the health of the planet and local communities where it’s rooted.

This is such a great Christmas gift as so many trees are cut down over the holiday season and this is a way to help promote reforestation to combat that damage. It also offers both food security and income support to local farmers and communities involved as well as supporting biodiversity, offsetting CO2 and reducing soil erosion.

So perhaps the perfect Christmas gift does exist… and it’s all about giving back to global communities, supporting the health of our planet and giving a personalised gift to our loved ones.