- Author: Denise Godbout-Avant
Author: Hyacinthe Loyson
I love to wander among trees, to see and hear the leaves swaying in the breeze, observe birds darting about the branches, squirrels running up and down the trunk, and insects flitting about. I have spent many contented hours sitting under a tree reading a good book. Trees mark the seasons of our lives, blooming in the spring before producing green leaves, producing fruits or nuts in the summer, changing colors in the fall, standing bare and stark during the winter months. I particularly love the Valley Oak tree (Quercus lobata) with its distinctive lobed leaves, the acorns it yields, the fascinating oak galls produced by tiny wasps, and their historical importance to the original people of California as a staple food source.
Arbor Day
Along with 50 countries around the world, the USA celebrates trees on Arbor Day. The day is celebrated during the spring tree planting season. In the USA, the date is typically the last Friday of April, which this year was Friday, April 26. The date varies around the world depending on geography, weather, and if in the Northern or Southern Hemisphere.
But why do we commemorate trees and how did Arbor Day get started?
Benefits of Trees
- Trees help combat climate change – Trees absorb carbon dioxide (CO2), which is contributing to global warming. They remove the CO2 from the air and store the carbon. In one year, an acre of trees can absorb the same amount of CO2 produced when the average car is driven 26,000 miles.
- Trees clean the air – Trees absorb odors and pollutant gases such as nitrogen oxides, ammonia, sulfur dioxide and ozone and filter particulates out of the air by trapping them on their leaves and bark.
- Trees provide habitat for wildlife – Sycamores and oaks are among numerous trees that provide homes for many species of birds, mammals, insects, amphibians, and reptiles.
- Trees cool cities – Trees deflect the sunlight, cooling the air up to 10°F by shading our homes, buildings, and roads.
- Trees prevent soil erosion – Trees reduce water runoff by allowing the rainwater to flow down the trunk, onto the earth below. Their roots also slow runoff and hold the soil in place.
- Trees provide wood and paper – Trees help us build our homes and the paper we write on.
- Trees beautify urban spaces – Trees can mask unsightly concrete walls, parking lots, and unsightly views. They help muffle the sounds of the city and create eye-soothing canopies of green. They absorb dust and reduce glare.
- Trees provide personal and spiritual values – During our busy lives, trees can give us a piece of nature and moments of tranquility.
Arbor Day History
The tradition quickly spread and within 20 years the day was celebrated in every state but Delaware. On April 15, 1907, President Theodore Roosevelt, a conservation supporter, issued an “Arbor Day Proclamation to the School Children of the United States.” In 1970, Arbor Day became nationally recognized due to efforts by President Richard Nixon.
People can celebrate Arbor Day by planting a tree (which can be dedicated to a loved one) and spending time caring for the trees we have. Morton's words resonate strongly today as climate change becomes a serious threat: “Other holidays repose on the past: Arbor Day proposes for the future.”
How Can We Help?
- To reduce the demand for paper, check out books from your local Stanislaus County Library instead of purchasing new ones.
- Help protect existing forests – Encourage reduced cutting down of healthy forests by supporting sustainable reforestation.
- Afforestation – Support the planting of new forest plantations, which can enhance existing forest cover and help reduce global warming with carbon sequestration.
- Continue to water your tree, even during a drought. If you shut off lawn water, don't forget to deep water your tree! You can use a hose or soaker hose to water under the drip line.
- And, of course, plant a tree! You can volunteer for local organizations when they have tree planting days or plant a tree in your garden.
An excellent resource on care and selection of trees is Stanislaus County's Master Gardener “Trees in Your Home Garden,” https://ucanr.edu/sites/CEStanislausCo/files/341553.pdf
Additional resources include on how to plant a tree: https://ucanr.edu/sites/UrbanHort/files/80160.pdf, and on pruning trees: https://ucanr.edu/sites/UrbanHort/files/80116.pdf
Favorite Tree?
Do you have a favorite tree? Write in our comment section what your favorite tree is and why?!
Denise Godbout-Avant has been a UC Cooperative Extension Master Gardener in Stanislaus County since 2020.
This article was originally published on April 25, 2022.
/h3>/h3>/h3>/h3>/h3>When: Saturday, May 4, 2024 from 9:30 a.m. -12:00 pm
Cost: $30
Location: emailed to participants.
Instructors: UC Cooperative Extension Stanislaus County Master Gardeners Roxanne Campbell, Rho Yare, and Sandy Mann.
Sign Up: Space is limited, register by paying online at https://ucanr.edu/succulents/2024
If you can't pay by credit card, we will accept cash or check if paid before May 1, 2024. Email aschellman@ucanr.edu or call (209) 525-6800 and ask for Anne to arrange to pay ahead.
This class does not accept walk-ins, payment must be made ahead of time.
- Author: Denise Godbout-Avant
Water Is a Precious Resource
Earth is known as the “Blue Planet” since from space one can see it is about 71% covered with water. However, about 99% of that water is either ocean salt water or saline water. Less than 1% is freshwater and much of that freshwater is trapped in glaciers or underground where it is inaccessible. About 50% of the available freshwater stays in rivers for nature. The other half of the 1% freshwater is for human consumption.
To put all those numbers in perspective*, imagine a five-gallon bucket of water. Of that five-gallon, only ONE DROP is freshwater that is available for human use and most of that goes to agriculture to put food on our tables, which does not leave much for our homes and gardens!
California is no stranger to drought. It is a recurring feature of our Mediterranean climate but due to climate change drought is expected to happen more frequently and with longer, more extreme. Which will lead to years when we have even less available freshwater. So, we must learn to incorporate water sustainability into our everyday lives.
Learn About Water Sustainability in Our Gardens
During the month of May, the Stanislaus County UC Master Gardeners will be giving talks on Waterwise Landscaping at county libraries. Some ways to conserve water include changing from sprinklers to drip irrigation, reducing lawns, and using the right plant in the right place. Even small changes can lead to meaningful water savings. Master Gardeners will be discussing these methods, as well as how soil types determine how much water to apply, the value of mulching, how to reduce water runoff, hydrozones, and suggestions for attractive waterwise plants that grow well in our area.
With water being such a precious resource, we must make the most of every drop. We hope to see you at a local library for one of our classes. Come and learn water conservation methods you can incorporate in your garden.
*visit our YouTube Channel to watch a hands on demonstration of Denise explaining how much fresh water exists on our planet. Teachers, the video is 2 1/2 minutes long, so feel free to use in your classrooms!
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Our UC Master Gardeners will have a booth where you can spin our “rot wheel” and guess what can and cannot be composted in your city bin. Win prizes like flower seed packets for your garden or cool mushroom-themed stickers for your water bottle or computer. Here are a few other things you can do to celebrate sustainability at the event:
- Take a picture with local mascots
- Grab lunch from local food vendors or bring a picnic
- Meet your councilmembers or the mayor
- Win a prize for answering recycling trivia
- Listen to music and play games in Mancini Bowl
*sadly, last weekend (April 13) it POURED, and the Pollinator Festival was canceled. Apologies for posting “Rain or Shine.”
Our Gardening with Succulents Workshop is back! Sign up for our Saturday, May 4th class just in time to make the perfect gift for Mother's Day (Saturday, May 11, 2024).
Give the gift of an experience, or make a gift for your mother, grandmother, favorite aunt, or someone in your life you'd like to honor.
Participants will learn how to identify succulents, care for them, and create a succulent design in a hand-made, wooden box. You can also take home succulent pieces to plant in your garden.
When: Saturday, May 4, 2024 from 9:30 a.m. -12:00 pm
Cost: $30
Location: emailed to participants.
Instructors: UC Cooperative Extension Stanislaus County Master Gardeners Roxanne Campbell, Rho Yare, and Sandy Mann.
Sign Up: Space is limited, register by paying online at https://ucanr.edu/succulents/2024
If you can't pay by credit card, we will accept cash or check if paid before April 5. Email aschellman@ucanr.edu or call (209) 525-6800 and ask for Anne to arrange to pay ahead.
This class does not accept walk-ins, payment must be made ahead of time.
![Wooden basket with succulents hanging on a fence. Wooden basket with succulents hanging on a fence.](https://ucanr.edu/blogs/StanislausSprout/blogfiles/105953.jpg)