Health Benefits of Forests and Trees

TO THE EDITOR: I’m Colette Crescas, a registered nurse and a member of Friends of the Drew Forest, I’m pleased to report that doctors are increasingly prescribing time in nature to their patients struggling with cardiovascular disease or anxiety. According to the Mayo clinic, research suggests a minimum ‘dose’ of 2 hours a week in a natural setting to maintain those desirable levels.

Trees and forests affect the multiple complex systems within our bodies. The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for what we know as the “flight or fight” response.. A 2017 study just 15 minutes in a forest had a calming effect that led to lower cortisol levels.

Forests help to boost our immune systems by directly releasing airborne chemicals called phytoncides.  When we breathe these in, our bodies respond by increasing the number and activity of white blood cells. These cells are critical in fighting tumors, virus-infected cells, and many bacterial infections

Trees and forests have a huge positive impact on our respiratory systems.  Trees filter air pollutants such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and sulfur dioxide.  They also filter particulate matter and other gases, leading to cleaner air and reduced risk of respiratory disease such as lung cancer, bronchitis and emphysema, and asthma.  While we are breathing that cleaner air, we are also breathing in the oxygen that trees provide through the process of photosynthesis.  This is why forests are often referred to as “green lungs”. 

Forests play a crucial role in filtering liquid pollutants and chemicals. The greater the tree cover, the higher the filtration rate. This is a huge plus! The water runoff from storms often contains sediment from roofs, parking lots, garbage, animal waste, etc. The forest captures this water, filters out the pollution particles, then stores it below the forest surface.   Removing these and other pollutants prevent waterborne illnesses such as Dysentery, Giardia, E. Coli, and Salmonella, to name a few.

With respect to climate change, issues such as heat fainting, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke can be fatal. Forests and trees provide a crucial buffer to communities by cooling the local environment and preventing the heat island effect in communities.

Lastly, the presence of forests and green spaces encourages outdoor activities like walking, hiking, and recreation that all contribute to our overall physical fitness and reduces the risk of chronic disease. So please go out and enjoy the Drew Forest, stay well, and thank you for all your efforts in saving it.

COLETTE CRESCAS