Arbor Day and The Power of Trees

Arbor Day is important because it is a special day that celebrates the role of trees in our lives and promotes tree planting and care. Trees provide numerous benefits to our environment and society, such as:

• Purifying the air we breathe by absorbing carbon dioxide and other pollutants and releasing oxygen.
• Preventing soil erosion by holding the soil in place with their roots.
• Providing shade and reducing temperatures, which helps to mitigate the urban heat island effect.
• Supporting biodiversity by providing habitats for various species of animals and plants.
• Enhancing the beauty of our surroundings and providing recreational opportunities.

Arbor Day serves as a reminder of the importance of trees and encourages people to plant, care for, and appreciate trees. By doing so, we can help to create a more sustainable and healthier planet for ourselves and future generations.

Promoting Good Tree Health

There are several ways to promote good tree health, including:

1. Proper planting: Choose the right tree species for your area and plant it correctly, following the recommended depth and spacing guidelines. Make sure the tree has adequate access to sunlight, water, and nutrients.
2. Watering: Trees need water, especially during their first few years of growth. Water your trees deeply and regularly, but avoid over-watering, which can lead to root rot.
3. Mulching: Apply a layer of organic mulch around the base of your tree to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature. Avoid piling mulch against the trunk, as this can cause bark decay and attract pests.
4. Pruning: Prune your trees regularly to remove dead, diseased, or damaged branches. This can help to prevent the spread of pests and diseases and promote healthy growth.
5. Fertilizing: Apply fertilizer to your trees as needed, following the recommended application rates and timing. Over-fertilizing can harm your trees and contribute to pollution of nearby waterways.
6. Pest and disease management: Monitor your trees regularly for signs of pests and diseases and act promptly to address any problems. This may involve using organic or chemical treatments, depending on the severity of the issue.

By following these practices, you can help to promote good tree health and ensure that your trees thrive for years to come.

The Power of Trees

Trees play a critical role in creating healthier, safer, and more connected communities. They clean our air, filter our water, and even slow storm surge and flooding in our cities. Trees also provide shade and cool our cities by up to 10 degrees, which can help prevent heat-related deaths in urban areas.

Even as social and economic issues fracture our society, trees continue to connect communities, cultures, and generations. Neighborhood trees have shown the ability to reduce stress, improve overall health and development in children, and encourage physical activity. And a healthy communitywide tree canopy fosters economic advantages as well as an increase in civic pride among residents.

Project EverGreen’s GreenCare for Communities  

Parks, lawns, landscapes and maintained green spaces help to mitigate temperature increases in communities and significantly reduce energy use and cooling costs. Project EverGreen’s GreenCare for Communities initiative has made a significant impact. Since 2008, Project EverGreen and its partners have renovated community parks and public green spaces totaling more than 200 million square feet of living green space.

Through its nationwide base of professional volunteers, Project EverGreen has connected people, plants, and their communities to maximize the health of grass, plants, and trees, which in turn sequesters carbon and cleans the air. The initiative supports healthy green spaces in neighborhoods and cities, enabling maintained green spaces to function as the lungs of the city and offsetting the negative effects of a warming environment.

Visit the GreenCare for Communities to view our projects.