so I think i understand enums, but not quite seeing the use for them in code...

Code:
enum TreeType
 {
       maple, douglasFir, Alder
};

i know that the first enum is 0, unless otherwise defined, and the next enum is the last enum + 1.
however I am kind of struggling understanding the USE for enums.. is there a beneficial difference between me defining each tree type individually versus using an enum? ( sorry for the super simplistic example.. maybe someone could provide a more useful example for enums?)

Code:
int maple = 0;
int douglasFir = 1;
int Alder = 2;
seems so simple, but I'm just not seeing what i would use enums for in code.. sorry for the nooby question, hopefully you guys can help get me over this feeble bump on the road of programming..
any help or input would be appreciated, just looking for a different perspective to make this "click" in my head.
cheers