- 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>Our last newsletter may have prompted you to have more questions about citrus. The good news is, the topic for January Classes at Stanislaus County Libraries is (you guessed it) Growing Citrus Trees! We hope to see you at one of these free classes.
You can also see a list of our classes on our calendar by visiting our website at https://ucanr.edu/sites/stancountymg/Calendar/
p.s. February's topic is Spring Vegetable Gardening, stay tuned for more information!
A recent study* found that seeing or hearing birds can improve your mood and mental wellbeing for up to eight hours! Instead of heading out to bird watch, why not attract them to your own backyard or apartment patio?
This presentation was put together by Denise Godbout-Avant, one of our UC Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners. She did a lot of research to learn about local birds in Stanislaus County. You will be amazed when you see the colorful birds that live and migrate through our area!
Learn more at The Backyard is for the Birds classes at a local Stanislaus County Library near you during October of 2023. You don't need to sign up to attend the classes.
Visit our Calendar at https://ucanr.edu/sites/stancountymg/Calendar/ for dates, times, and locations.
*Time Magazine. Birdwatching Has Big Mental Health Benefits. https://time.com/6231886/birdwatching-mental-health/
In this Seed Saving class from the UC Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners of Stanislaus County, you'll learn:
- What types of seeds to save and the difference between heirlooms and hybrid seeds.
- How flowers are pollinated and how seeds develop.
- How far apart to plant varieties of vegetables to ensure seed purity.
- How to save seeds and how long saved seeds last.
During class, you'll have a hands-on experience of separating flower and vegetable seeds from "chaff,*" and labeling to take home to your garden. Please join us at one of our classes at a local Stanislaus County library near you.
We are also excited to announce that classes are starting this month at the Waterford Library branch!
Seed Saving Classes for July 2023
Sat, 7/1 at 2:00 p.m. – Empire Library
Sat, 7/8 at 2:00 p.m. – Riverbank Library
Mon, 7/10 at 6:00 p.m. – Ceres Library
Tues, 7/11 at 6:00 p.m. – Salida Library
Tues, 7/11 at 6:00 p.m. – Oakdale Library
Thurs, 7/13 at 1:00 p.m. – Patterson Library
Mon, 7/24 at 5:30 p.m. – Modesto Library
Tues, 7/25 at 2:00 p.m. – Waterford Library
Wed, 7/26 at 6:00 p.m. – Turlock Library
*chaff is the extra stuff growing around the seed like the spent flowers, pods, etc.
May Classes with the UC Cooperative Extension Stanislaus County Master Gardeners
Tues, 5/2 at 6:00 p.m. – Salida Library
Sat, 5/6 at 2:00 p.m. – Empire Library
Mon, 5/8 at 6:00 p.m. – Ceres Library
Tues, 5/9 at 6:00 p.m. – Oakdale Library
Thurs, 5/11 at 1:00 p.m. – Patterson Library
Mon, 5/22 at 5:30 p.m. – Modesto Library
Wed, 5/24 at 6:00 p.m. – Turlock Library