In Praise of Trees

In need of inspiration recently, I looked back into my photo archive and rediscovered my love of trees. Just look at what they can do. They provide visual interest throughout the long winter months.  They reduce runoff by infiltrating snow and water. They provide food for forest birds, like woodpeckers. They remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, store carbon in their trunks, branches, leaves and roots, and release oxygen back into the air for us to breath. They frame our views. They teach us. They provide shade and cool the ground. How many things are more precious than trees?