Judy is collecting some facts for a class project on pollution
She is interviewing Doctor Ray,a scientist ,about trees.
JUDY:Why are you so interested in trees,Doctor Ray?
DR RAY:They’re the biggest and oldest living things on earth ,Judy.
JUDY:Yes ,but what good are trees They make streets more beautiful and less noisy ,
but what else can they do
DR RAY:Well ,there’s wood in your pencil and the bench ,rubber on the end of your
pencil ,and paper in your notebook-all from trees .And
while you're studying at home ,do you like to eat an orange ,or sip a Coke
or a coffee
JUDY:Sometines .
DR RAY:Well ,the fruit ,the nuts for the Coke ,and the beans for the coffee all come
from trees .And ,I suppose you also enjoy breathing pure ,cool air .
JUDY:Of course .
DR RAY:Then you must thank trees for that ,too .Trees are natural air ,and release
oxygen into the air .How many people are there in your class ,Judy
JUDY:Forty-six .
DR RAY:Well ,one and a half hectares ofs trees could produce enough oxygen to
keep your whole class alive and healthy for a year .
JUDY:That's wonderful!
DR RAY:Trees cool the air as well as clean it .Three trees can do the job of 15 air
conditioners running almost all day .
JUDY:You certainly know a lot about trees ,Doctor Ray .
DR RAY:Thank you ,Judy ,but I don't ,really .Scientists are only now beginning
to understand them .For example ,did you know that when insects attack
a tree ,it can warn its neighbours The trees can then protect
thenmselves by producing a chemical that makes their leaves taste
nasty .And some trees can join their roots together underground ,and
pass food and water around .Trees are communicating with one another ,
but we don't know how .
JUDY:Are trees in danger
DR RAY:In great danger .We cut down and burn millions every year but we
replace hardly any of them .We are destroying our best fighters
against polluting.
