It may look like trees just stand around and do nothing. Actually, they are very busy doing a variety of jobs that are essential to animals, people and the environment. Some animals spend their entire lives in trees - many birds, for instance, as well as squirrels, raccoons, opossums and several types of insects. These animals are born in trees, live in trees, raise their young in trees and, especially when trees are close together, seldom come down to the ground. For these animals, trees provide shelter from the weather and from enemies.
Trees provide food in the form of fruits, nuts, leaves, bark, and roots.
Even dead trees provide shelter and food for insects such as termites and beetles. Very few people actually live in trees, but many of us live in wooden houses made from trees. Many of the items inside our homes are also made from wood, including furniture, floors, toys, musical instruments, kitchen utensils and much more. In fact, there are many other household items, because wood is not the only product that comes from trees. Every part of a tree is used to make some important product.