Activity 7: Importance of Trees

As mentioned before trees provide many benefits to the ecosystem as well as providing humans with great benefits such as wood for shelter, bridges, boats, and much more.

C&O Canal Tree Trivia:

Below are some images of things built from trees along the Potomac and C&O Canal. Test your knowledge to see if you can determine how trees have provided useful material to people who have lived along the Potomac River for the last 13,000 years. In the last 200 years, how were trees used on the C&O Canal National Historical Park?

 

Question 1:

Left image
Credit: An illustration by John White

Right image
Credit: NPS

What benefit of trees is being used in these images?

Look at the Images above. Research the following options by clicking the links next to each benefit. Check your answer by dragging the image sliding tool left and right.
 

1. Aqueduct — Conococheague Aqueduct
2. Canal boat —  How a Lock Works
3. Lock —  How a Lock Works
4. Dugout Canoe — American Indians and the Bay and Oyster Island
5. Lockhouse —  Canal and River Structures

 

Question 2:

Left image
Credit: NPS Photo

Right image
Credit: NPS Photo

What benefit of trees is being used in these images?

Look at the Images above. Research the following options by clicking the links next to each benefit. Check your answer by dragging the image sliding tool left and right.
 

1. Canal boat — How a Lock Works
2. Aqueduct — Conococheague Aqueduct
3. Lock — How a Lock Works
4. Dugout Canoe — American Indians and the Bay and Oyster Island
5. Lockhouse — Canal and River Structures

 

Question 3:

Left image
Credit: Intern Kelly Savannah

Right image
Credit: NPS Photo

What benefit of trees is being used in these images?

Look at the Images above. Research the following options by clicking the links next to each benefit. Check your answer by dragging the image sliding tool left and right.
 

1. Aqueduct — Conococheague Aqueduct
2. Canal boat — How a Lock Works
3. Lock — How a Lock Works
4. Dugout Canoe — American Indians and the Bay and Oyster Island
5. Lockhouse — Canal and River Structures

 

Question 4:

Left image
Credit: NPS Photo

Right image
Credit: Question 4 question and answer

Look at the Image above. Research the following options by clicking the links next to each benefit. Check your answer by dragging the image sliding tool left and right.
 

1. Dugout Canoe — American Indians and the Bay and Oyster Island
2. Aqueduct — Conococheague Aqueduct
3. Lock — How a Lock Works
4. Lockhouse — Canal and River Structures
5. Canal boat — How a Lock Works

 

Question 5:

Left image
Credit: NPS Photo

Right image
Credit: Question 5 and the answer

Look at the Image above. Research the following options by clicking the links next to each benefit. Check your answer by dragging the image sliding tool left and right.
 

1. Aqueduct — Conococheague Aqueduct
2. Lockhouse — Canal and River Structures
3. Canal boat — How a Lock Works
4. Lock — How a Lock Works
5. Dugout Canoe — American Indians and the Bay and Oyster Island

 

Tree saplings grow along a path at the C&O Canal.

NPS Photo

Impacts on Trees

There are a variety of issues that can harm trees such as deforestation (the removal of trees and forest), forest fires, infestation (large number of insects causing harm to trees) and climate change. To learn more about these impacts visit:

• National Capital Inventory & Monitoring Network
• Wildfires, Prescribed Fires, and Fuels
• Non-native Plants
• Spotted Lanternfly 101 & Ash Tree Update 2017
• Ozone Effects on Tree Growth
• C&O Trees in Uplands and Lowlands

 

A few Kid Friendly books on trees and the importance of trees:

1. The Lorax by Dr. Seuss (1971). ISBN13: 9780394823379
   *This Dr. Seuss classic carries a strong message about environmental preservation.
2. Ferngully: The Last Rainforest by Mark Butler and Matthew Perry (1992).Paperback by Diana Young ISBN13: 9780590454322
   *Crysta, fairy from Ferngully rainforest fights alongside other inhabitants to save their home, which is threatened by logging and a polluting force of destruction called Hexxus.

 

A scroll with a image of a person with a megaphone saying "Save the trees!" with an image of trees in the background.

NPS Image / Kelly Savannah

Become like Lorax and Speak for the Trees!

How you can help?

• Advocate for Urban Trees:
  • Ask your local urban government about adopting tree-planting measures and ordinances in your local area.
• Support Sustainable Forestry: Deforestation has a detrimental impact on the environment.
  • Buy wood from certified sustainable sources
• Don’t bring your own wood with you when camping outdoors to avoid the transmission of insects and pests.
• Contact our park and we can help you locate some non-profit groups who are conducting tree plantings around the area.
  • Don't forget to check our awesome onsite and online Stewardship Activities!