0
- Author: Denise Godbout-Avant
sake of his children and his children's children, who are to sit beneath the shadow of their spreading boughs.”
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, and stand 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 is Friday, April 29th. 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
From the beginning, trees have provided us with the oxygen we breathe, along with food, shelter, medicine, and tools. To list a few of their other benefits:
- 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
You can learn more about trees from the National Arbor Day Foundation at https://www.arborday.org/trees/treefacts/
Favorite Tree?
Do you have a favorite tree? Write in our comment section what your favorite tree is and why?!
/h4>/h4>/h4>/h4>/h4>
- Author: Denise Godbout-Avant
My teacher commented the deadline for doing the assignment was coming up and I wouldn't get an ‘A' in English if I didn't complete the project. I responded I didn't know of any science books to read. He suggested I go to the school library.
I told the librarian of my situation and she guided me to a book about honeybees. I liked bees (though I'd been stung once!) but knew little about them other than they spent time around flowers. That book revealed the complex and fascinating world of honeybees to me. I was enthralled. I have been enamored with bees and science ever since. I eventually obtained degrees in science and education which led to a worthwhile career that included being a biology instructor, museum educator and lab technician. All because of a book on bees. . .I am forever grateful to my 6th grade teacher and the school librarian.
All About Bees Talk
As a Stanislaus County Master Gardener, I have the privilege of joining fellow Master Gardener Heidi Aufdermaur in presenting a talk on “All About Bees,” to share my love of bees. Learn why they're so valuable, different kinds of bees, (there are over 1,600 native bees in California!), their life stages and habits, why they're in trouble, and how home gardeners can help bees thrive. I hope you'll join us!
When: Tuesday, April 26, 2021, 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Where: Harvest Hall Rooms D & E at the Agricultural Center at the corner of Crows Landing and Service Road in Modesto
Address: 3800 Cornucopia Way, Modesto, CA 95358
Cost: Free
Instructors: Master Gardeners Heidi Aufdermaur and Denise Godbout-Avant
Questions: call (209) 525-6862
Sign Up online: http://ucanr.edu/bees/2022
Denise Godbout-Avant has been a Stanislaus County Master Gardener since 2020.
Planning to get your fall garden started? If you missed our live presentation of the Fall Vegetable Gardening class, you can now watch it on our YouTube Channel!
Fall Vegetable Gardening was recorded on August 25, 2020. Our speakers' included two very talented Stanislaus County Master Gardeners, Terry Pellegrini and Rho Yare. The class offered best practices for vegetable gardening in fall, and some tips from our local Stanislaus County Free Library library about the vegetable gardening books that are available.
We hope you will subscribe to our channel as well as follow us on Facebook or twitter.
What can you grow? Asparagus, artichokes, broccoli, bok choy, Brussels sprouts, carrots, cauliflower, cabbage, mustard greens, lettuce, spinach, and Swiss chard (just to name a few.)
Please join UCCE Stanislaus County Master Gardeners Rho Yare and Terry Pellegrini on Zoom to learn tips for having a successful fall vegetable garden. Topics will include:
-Vegetable gardening basics.
-Which fall vegetables grow best in the Central Valley of California.
-When to plant and planting methods.
-When to harvest.
-Library books you can download free from the Stanislaus County Free library!
There will be time for questions along the way, so be sure to type yours in the Q&A box. Also, get ready for some fun polls about your favorite vegetables to grow!
When: Tuesday, August 25, 2020 from 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Where: on Zoom.
How: sign up to receive the link by email at: http://ucanr.edu/fallvegs/2020
Please sign up to receive the link by August 25, 2020 at 4 p.m.
If you don't have Zoom or have to miss the class, watch it later on our Stanislaus County UCCE Master Gardener YouTube Channel!