Trees Critical For Civilization

Trees and forests have always been critical to human civilization. Shown above is the huarango tree, native to Peru. It has the deepest roots of any tree, deeper than most trees are tall, and lives 1000 years.

When the Nazca people cut their huarango forests to make way for increased agriculture around 400 AD, they experienced a few short years of benefits, then the people disappeared for all time.

When the trees go, so go the people.