"Do you think that for the most part trees have a higher moral status than regular flowering plants? Why is that? What is it that makes trees have a higher status?"
Trees are viewed this way for two reasons, one is because of their function and benefit to the planet and one is for aesthetic reasons. Trees give us oxygen, without which the planet could not survive. This is the most obvious reason why people hold trees so high above other plants. Trees are also pleasing to the eye, people like to plant them so they look nice in their yard. People will explore nature just to look at the beauty of a forest. This is true for other plants that are seen as beautiful, take roses for example, they are planted just so they enhance the area where they are. They are also a symbol of love which pushes them up even higher on the likability list. Then think of a weed, it serves no positive purpose, they are usually not aesthetically pleasing, and they harm most other plants they grow around. There are even products made to kill them. Think also about invasive plant species, right away they have little moral status because they too, harm other plants that people want to protect and keep.
Question: What about dandelions? They are a weed, yet they are a pretty flower. Are they held above other weeds simply because of there appearance?
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