That's the name of my latest non-fiction read, A Trillion Trees by Fred Pearce - he of the book I recently read about 'invasive' species.
It's really interesting. So, did you know that, yes, trees expel oxygen but they also absorb it so they aren't massive net oxygen pumps? This led me to think, right, so if they're not making the oxygen, who the hell is? Phytoplankton, is, I think, the answer. Also, after a certain point (temperature, I think) forests are carbon emitters not carbon sinks. These pieces of research were both originated by women who were vilified by the scientific community and their results weren't even properly analysed for ages and when they were shown to be right, the female scientists weren't praised for the ground-breaking work!
Despite this bad PR for trees, Pearce still says the world needs more trees - I haven't got to that yet.
He also talks about how forests make wind - more research originating with a woman which, though accepted by physicists, is ignored by (male) climate scientists. And about all the forest destruction. He is positive though about how quickly scrub and trees will recover - if given time and space.
There's a fascinating section on VOCs (volatile organic compounds) - basically, all the chemicals trees produce. Some are about attracting pollinators or deterring pests, but it seems that many are completely unexplained (by us). As they are expensive to produce, there is the question of why? For sure, these create rain (water adheres to the chemicals), but then why do you need so many hundreds of different ones?
Oh yes, and the wind rivers - in the atmosphere there are 'rivers' flowing from forests that water the interior of continents. The loss of forests increases the desertification of land hundreds of miles away!
Thinking of trees led me to visit another favourite oak. Which one?
Once again, I became captivated by bark.
Sounds like a good book! And somewhat hopeful.