Pine Trees Pollute and Contribute to Aging! Say It Ain't So!!

 

I loved this image of a pine tree

#138  December 9:  Having grown up in the beloved pine forests of the South, I was stunned to read a sentence buried in an article about climate change in NC that pine trees contribute to “natural pollution”.  That required more investigation.  First, the pine nut smell can trigger asthma reactions.  That was serious, but not a big surprise.  But researchers at Carnegie Mellon have found that pine trees give off gasses that react with airborne chemicals to cause tiny particles that “muddy” the air.  But here is the worst part!  They form free radicals, the same compounds that age our skin, after forming in the atmosphere.  Maybe that explains why Southerners seem to age faster!! LOL  On the flip side there are benefits to pine forests as sources of food and shelter for animals and of course, lumber and our beloved telephone pole!!  12/9