I know of one person here who loves trees, and no doubt there are many more of us who have spent a lot of time in the woods. Without trees, no maple banjos!
Now, it seems, there are a very very, very special trees in the woods.
"A rare breed of ancient trees appears to be the key to life for forests all over the world. Researchers at The Morton Arboretum say in many forests which date back centuries, there are a small number of trees which provide genetic and evolutionary benefits to the rest of the environment. Moreover, this “tree of life” is usually 10 to 20 times older than the average plant species dwelling in that forest!
Study authors say the ancient trees radically change the genetic diversity and health of the surrounding trees which arrive later on. All of this keeps forests from dying out, while thriving for thousands of years."
https://www.studyfinds.org/tree-of-life-keeps-forests-alive/