Over a thousand different species grow in the U.S., with several hundred in Tennessee. Any study of trees will quickly exhibit the differences in leaf shapes and color, bark shape, texture, and color, and overall shape and size. In addition, trees have flowers and fruit as distinguishing features. There are many reference books on tree identification. The benefits of trees are numerous.
Trees provide shelter and food for wildlife and wood products for man.
They produce oxygen and filter out carbon dioxide and air pollutants from the atmosphere. One acre of trees produce enough oxygen to keep 18 people alive for one year. The leaves decay in the soil, providing nutrients and building organic material. Trees help protect the soil from erosion. Trees reduce heating and cooling bills by shading houses in the Summer and blocking chilling winds in the Winter.