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The wall-hanging created by members of the local community is part of efforts by Blairgowrie, Rattray and District Climate Cafe to highlight the significance and value of trees in the fight against the declared climate emergency.

And information on the importance of trees is available for visitors to Blairgowrie Library – where the wall-hanging is currently on display.

Kay Seal from the local Climate Cafe said: “Trees are the lungs of our planet.

“They harness the sun’s energy via the leaves, using it to absorb carbon monoxide – which is a greenhouse gas – and to release oxygen.

“This process of photosynthesis is what sustains all life on earth – including ours.”

Alan Ross from the Climate Cafe explained: “The 2018 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report said we need to cut our carbon dioxide (CO2) and other emissions in half within 11 years to give us a 50 per cent chance of staying below a 1.5 degrees average global temperature rise from pre-industrial levels and setting off irreversible chain reactions that are outwith human control.

“This timescale has now been reduced to six years following rises in global CO2 levels.

“CO2 levels in our atmosphere are higher now than they been for the past 23 million years.

“Trees reduce these levels by absorbing CO2 from the atmosphere and storing it within stems, leaves and soils. This increased carbon, especially in forest soils, also increases water absorption and storage.

“The water then rises, reducing global warming in a number of ways, including forming high albido clouds that reflect solar radiation, and other clouds that generate rainfall to drive the hydrological system which is responsible for 95 per cent of the heat dynamics of the planet.

“It also mitigates methane – a potent greenhouse gas – in the atmosphere.”

Alan went on:“Increasing tree cover worldwide has been claimed by the UN as the most important natural solution to the climate emergency, and has called for an additional one trillion trees to be planted worldwide, in conjunction with the protection of existing forests.

“Trees also supply us with up to 60 per cent of our oxygen, create rain for drinking and agriculture needs and even help us fight disease.

“Studies have shown that people who participated in brief periods of woodland walking had significantly reduced stress hormones, blood pressure and cholesterol and, exhibited a 50 per cent increase in levels of natural killer cells.

“Trees also reduce pollution in our communities. Just one tree at your house can filter 100kg of dust and air pollution every year and reduce pollution levels inside your house by up to 60 per cent.

“Trees also create shade and, with global heat temperatures predicted to rise towards dangerous levels, urban tree shade will soon become a necessity.”