Trees are the world's most complex and successful plants. Telhngly, the oldest and largest living things on Earth today are trees, a tribute to their longevity and ability to survive. Ever since trees first appeared on our planet, over 370 million years ago, they have played a vital role in climate regulation, taking in carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen. Trees exist in an astonishingly diverse range of forms, often ingeniously" adapted to the emdronment around them. Throughout human history, mankind has used trees in a huge variety of ways. All around the globe, trees have provided human beings with the materials for fuel and shelter as well as being a source of food and medicine. Trees and their products play an enormous part in our everyday lives, providing the paper for our books and newspapers, many of the fruits we eat and much of the furniture we have in our homes. Trees have also meant so much more than a simple, physical resource. They feature in our religions, myths and folklore and have inspir
