Importance of Trees

The Importance of Trees

Today we immensely underestimate the role trees play in our lives. With the mass deforestation and urbanization going on around the world trees are getting cut down at a staggering rate, over 78,000,000 hectares of rain forest are cut down every year.......that is an area almost 9 times as big as Taiwan!! Also because rain forests support such a huge and wide variety of life the mass deforestation drives around 137 species of animals to extinction.........everyday!!!

                                                       Image from Word Wildlife Fund



But what if we destroy our forests here on earth? What do they do anyway? Well here is a list of the Top 10 reason why trees are vital for our planet:

1) Trees produce Oxygen for us to breath: The importance of this one should be obvious, we need oxygen to live and trees let out oxygen.

2) Trees clean the air: Trees capture polluting air particles such as carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide thus making the air clean and lowering temperature as these are greenhouse gases.

3) Trees clean the soil: Trees absorb all sorts of waste in the soil, from farm chemicals to sewage, the fancy word for this is phytoremediation. 

4) Trees control noise: Strategically planted trees can act as a sound muffle which greatly reduces noise pollution, especially useful if you live near freeways and airports.

5) Trees prevent landslides: Tree roots compact loose soil and prevent landslides.

6) Trees lock away carbon: Trees absorb carbon from the soil and atmosphere in order to produce its food which disposes of otherwise polluting carbon chemicals.

7) Trees block wind: Again, strategically planted trees are very effective at blocking wind thus lowering your home heating bill.

8) Trees support life: Trees support countless numbers of wildlife, from insects to fungi to bacteria to birds, mammals and reptiles. Over 50% of all the wildlife on earth live in tropical rain forests.

9) Useful: Trees are very useful in building and making things when used appropriately and can be a very useful resource when it is controlled.

10) Trees look good: Good looking trees can make average looking places look amazing, which is why they can increase your property value by up to 15%


But we aren't all talk here at Toucheng Leisure Farm as we are actively changing the way we live while encouraging others to do the same:

                                    Table and bench made from fallen logs, not chopped down

                                                                      Swing chair

                                           Various statues around the farm made from fallen logs

We planted all sorts of trees throughout the farm to support wildlife and take care of our environment:

                                                                       Orange Trees

                                                              Trees, trees and more trees

We can talk about trees for hours and hours, But do we really understand its meaning and significance ?

Maybe just an inch of what we are suppose to understand! Good enough! It will take us a lifetime to do that.

At least we try.

Each tree has its own beauty and importance, it's up to us to discover, appreciate and treasure its presence among us.

Trees has many stories to tell us, do we stop to at least "listen" ? try listening to a tree growing nearby, you might learn something about it by just experiencing by just standing there!

Toucheng Leisure Farm has hundred of trees growing at its premises, you're most welcome to discover each one and learn from them. 

 When are you coming to start counting trees at Toucheng Leisure Farm?

We are always here at your service.

Toucheng Leisure Farm Cucumber

Cucumber (cucumis sativa) belongs to the gourd family. It is a creeping vine that bears fruit and used as vegetables.

Cucumbers planted in the Farm are the East Asian cucumbers variety with mild, slender, deep green and  bumpy, ridged skin.

Cucumbers are usually pickled in brine,vinegar or other solutions and left to ferment for a period of time.

Cucumber are also served as juice and is used in "many natural beauty cream and cosmetics products.

I took these photos from the organic garden of Toucheng Leisure Farm.

Guests at the Farm can pick organic, fresh and juicy cucumbers from the garden and eat it 

there.

Welcome to enjoy this memorable moment.

Taro (edible) and Taro (non-edible)

At Toucheng Leisure Farm, two kinds of taro plants grow. One is edible but one is not.

How do you tell the difference?

Below I took pictures of both plants for your information.

Taro's scientific name is Colocasia esculenta. its roots are used as vegetables for ite edible starchy

corm. Leaves and stalks are edible as well.  

While another taro (non edible) is Alocasia macrorrhizos. Its sap can irritate your skin due 

to the presence of calcium oxalate crystals when touched.

Its giant heart-shaped leaves can serve as an impromtu umbrella on a sudden

downpours.

Looking at it many times, can you tell the difference?

A cup of water poured on its leaves can clearly identify the big difference.

If you come to Toucheng Leisure Farm and met me, I'll be glad to tell you!!

Welcome!!

Leafy vegetables grown at the Farm

Green leafy vegetables are very important part of our daily diet. They contain many plant nutrients

necessary for our health and well being. The are low in calorie, fat, high in protein, dietary fiber, Vitamin C, and many more.

Lettuce

An excellent source of Vitamin : and A, beta carotene, folate and iron.

Chinese leek

they  are used as flavorings or as substitute for garlic,

or chives, with the same nutritional content

Broccoli;

Also an excellent  source of Vitamin A and K and the dietary mineral manganese,

Sweet potato leaves:

Very rich in fibers and minerals.

 Carrots

Very rich in Vitamin A and K, and especially beta-carotene

We want to grow healthy, happy and long for longevity. Vegetables are the ingredients for  

\ this wish.

Toucheng Leisure Farm can help you attain this wish, we have all the ingredients you need.

We would like to share them with you..

Welcome.

Quinoa

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) is a grain crop grown for its edible seeds. It has been called

a Supefood!.A study about this grain was conducted and  found out that quinoa is a source of complete protein.

Here at the Farm, we are lucky to plant and produce this grain and know its importance and value to us and our environment.

The plant in its first stage.

See the flowering quinoa plant.

Its mature seeds.

Harvested and dried under the sun.

There are many ways to cook this grain just like rice, but its too tiny and fragile that 

many are wasted during harvest time.

Year 2013 was declared by the United Nations General Assembly as the International Year of Quinoa. besides other reasons why it was declared, one of its objective is to draw the world's attention that

quinoa' has a  role in providing food security, nutrition and poverty eradication in this world of ours.

You can still see the quinoa plant in our garden. Come to see it for yourself!

Welcome!!!

Tea Tree

                                                                             

Tea Tree  (Melaleuca alternifolia) is a native of Australia and the [primary specie  for the commercial production of tea tree oil. They belong to the myrtle family Mytaceae.

Tea trees were used as a traditional medicines by inhaling the oil from the leaves which is crushed to treat coughs and colds.

According to WebMD:  Tea tree oil can kill bacteria and fungi. It is used as complementary therapy in surgery, burn care and so with dental care purposes.

Today, you will find shampoos, dish detergent or other cosmetic products with tea tree oil content.

Here at Toucheng Farm, we are lucky to have trees growing right at our garden.

Aloe Vera plant

The Aloe vera plant is used in herbal medicine since the 1st century AD.
It's extract is also used in cosmetics and alternative medicine for its rejuvenating, healing or soothing properties.


Its thick and fleshy leaves are green and turn to grey-green as it matures. It is a naive of Yemen, Somalia and Sudan.

Aloe vera is widely grown as an ornamental plant and blooms orange-yellow flowers.

This environmentally useful plant can also be consumed as a beverage or drink.


Spain has dedicated an Aloe Vera Museum to prove that this plant is indeed precious and deserve
recognition in our world. This Museum shows the production system for growing and harvesting the Aloe plant.

Also in this Museum, they show the types of Aloe Vera species including the therapeutic applications for skin, cardio-vascular system, respiratory systems and many more.



Here at Toucheng Leisure Farm, we grow Aloe Vera plants to help us identify its kind and prove its environmental value to all who visit us.