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Now you may be thinking to yourself, how in the world are trees like corn? I had never thought of trees in this way until I watched this video from International Paper’s website (below).
When we think of trees being cut down, we don’t usually think of them being replanted. However, trees really are like corn. Corn is planted, harvested, and replanted. So are trees.
Corn has many uses including: food for both humans and animals and its used in some bio-fuels. Trees provide us shade, oxygen, and paper. They provide homes for many different kinds of wildlife and they help combat global warming.
According to International Paper’s website, “The trees they plant become forests that help improve air quality, provide clean water and protect soil and wildlife. The demand for paper contributes to landowners planting about 4 million trees in the U.S. every day. When you go paper, you grow trees.”
According to International Paper’s video, tree farms actually preserve green space and nature. Just think what would happen if the demand for paper drastically drops in this electronic age: green space would disappear. Farmers would be forced to sell their land because they would not be able to make enough money. When farmers sell their land, it is usually developers that buy the ground, not other farmers. That once green land is then filled with subdivisions, roads, skyscrapers, and homes. Once a farm becomes developed, the chances of it ever becoming a farm again are slim.
The last thing anyone wants to see if a beautiful farm turns into a subdivision. I know we did not want to see my grandmother’s farm turn into subdivisions when we sold it. She probably would have rolled over in her grave if that happened. Luckily, someone bought and preserved the farm.
I think comparing trees to renewable crops or fruit gives people a different viewpoint when it comes to cutting down trees. I believe the comparison “Trees are like corn,” or “Trees are like fruit,” makes it easier to understand. The paper that comes from these trees, like corn comes from the stalk, is a renewable resource.
Check out the interesting video below from International Paper’s website. Share your thoughts.
