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Nutritious Trees: Source of Health and Wellbeing

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In addition to providing food, nutritious trees continue to provide us with environmental services such as shade, humidify the environment and oxygenate the air.

fruit trees

Fruits have an essential function for our health and well-being; They are a source of fiber, vitamins, minerals and substances with antioxidant action, in addition to their organoleptic properties (flavor, aroma, color, texture) that make them attractive for tasting.

Fruit trees are a direct food source for the rural or urban population, they have been used for thousands of years, that is why they are also designated as nutritious trees that can be in home gardens or gardens.

In addition to providing food, they continue to give us environmental services such as shade, they humidify the environment, oxygenate the air, reduce pollution, reduce noise, are shelter for animals and beautify the landscape.

The Food Organization of the United Nations (FAO) estimates that trees also have social, economic and environmental functions that contribute to subsistence and family income, participate in the functioning of national and international economies and favor conservation and sustainability. of the resources.

With this context and in view of the decrease in the consumption of these foods in their natural state due to people's preference for processed food products, August 4 was established as the Latin American Fruit Day to encourage the consumption of fruits and vegetables among the population. .

And is that each of the fruits has a different energy value; base their caloric content on carbohydrates (fructose, glucose, sucrose); they are low in fat (with the exception of coconut and avocado); and they have proteins essential for humans (leucine, isoleucine, valine, threonine, tryptophan, methionine, lysine, phenylalanine, histidine and arginine).

Nothing beats the taste of ripe, juicy fruits picked straight from the tree. But for those of us with a small garden, it's hard to imagine our backyards without a lush orchard full of ripe fruit. 

Citrus fruits are perhaps the easiest to grow in tropical areas because they are quite resistant to heat, such as lemons, limes, oranges, grapefruit, and tangerines. 

What about apples, peaches, pears, plums, and apricots? Or berries and grapes? 

Believe it or not with the right cultivar selection and a little care, they can all be grown depending on the climate you live in. 

Here are 8 gardening tips that will make your life easier and your garden's fruit harvest even sweeter! 

  1.  Fertilize at the right time - Knowing when to fertilize your fruit trees can make a big difference to their growth and performance. Spring is the perfect time to apply fertilizers, but you should skip the year of planting. To balance the soil, organic fertilizers such as animal manure or compost. Never use fresh manure on fruit trees.
  2.  Control sun exposure - Trees like cherry trees, apples, nectarines, and peaches enjoy the heat, but extreme desert heat can stunt their growth. 
  3.  To get the most out of your fruit trees, don't allow them to bear fruit in their first 1-2 years. That way, the trees will spend all their energy growing, producing a bigger and tastier harvest in the future.
  4.  Water Right - Watering your fruit trees is an essential but complicated business. Newly planted trees need more frequent watering until they are well rooted. Over-watering plants in spring can cause yellow leaves, root rot, and waterlogging. 
  5.  Be on the lookout for water buildup - fruit trees are susceptible to fungal infection. Therefore, you must be especially careful not to let your trees be in areas flooded with water around them.
  6.  Mesh nutritious trees at harvest time. To prevent birds from destroying your fruits, cover and protect the tree with a mesh as soon as you see that it begins to bloom and produce fruit.
  7.  Keep Pests Away - Bugs and insects that can undo your months of hard work, so be sure to spray them with organic insecticides at regular intervals. Want to stay away from chemical sprays? We have an effective all-purpose bug spray recipe that you can easily make at home with no more than two ingredients. To make a large batch of this spray, mix 2 tablespoons of liquid castile soap from mint with 1 gallon of water and pour the solution into spray bottles. You can also sow citronella around to ward off mosquitoes naturally, without toxic chemicals to your health or the environment.
  8.  Endemic tree types. Thousands of years of evolution speak for themselves. A tree that has evolved in your area is perfectly adapted to your climate, and can effectively absorb nutrients and provide you with the most tender fruits, for the longest amount of time. 

A non-endemic fruit tree will require special care and is more susceptible to pests and diseases.

Also the flavor of the fruits can vary by the soil and the processes that are used for its cultivation; while its properties are affected by storage, light, oxygen, heat, acidity, and microorganisms.

Each of the fruits of nature are different; Its flavor, texture, color, shape and smell depend on many factors, so the next time you put one in your mouth remember that you are about to taste a unique experience that has been influenced by countless metabolic processes. 

Frequently asked questions from our readers:

Some examples of nutritious trees for health and well-being are avocado, which is rich in healthy fats and vitamins; mango, which provides vitamin C and fiber; and almond, which provides proteins and healthy fats. These trees are an excellent source of essential nutrients to maintain good health and well-being. Read more here: https://www.equilibriumx.com/ecoturismo-y-conservacion/arboles-nutritivos-fuente-de-salud-y-bienestar
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Last modified: March 22, 2024