Lawn & Garden

Today Is National Arbor Day: Plant a Tree

By Larry Bilotti | Updated Sep 16, 2020 7:18 PM

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Photo: Shutterstock

A couple weeks ago I stumbled on the sale of a lifetime: 6′-7′ maple trees for under $20 at my local Tractor Store. Of course, getting the tree into the back of my Subaru Outback was a challenge, but the tree is a beauty and one that I can’t wait to plant this weekend. And, since today is National Arbor Day, the planting will seem that much more meaningful.

For those who might not be familiar, the Arbor Day Foundation was founded in 1972 in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the first Arbor Day. It’s mission is twofold: to inspire people to plant, celebrate and nurture trees, and to make certain that our national and state forests are here for future generations to enjoy.

The National Arbor Day Foundation is one of the largest non-profit conservation organizations in the country dedicated to planting trees. Through generous member donations and a tree-planting program with the U.S. Forest Service for national parks and the National Association of State Foresters for state owned forests, the organization has helped plant more than 20 million forestland trees since 1990.

Photo courtesy: Arbor Day Foundation

Forests that have benefited from the organization’s efforts, include the Sequoia National Forest in central California, the Gallatin National Forest in Montana’s Northern Rockies, the Dixie National Forest in southern Utah, the Blackwater River State Forest in northwestern Florida Panhandle, and the Mauna Kea Forest Reserve on the big island of Hawaii.

This Arbor Day you can help in one of two ways: by purchasing trees to plant in your own yard or community, or by making a donation to support the organization’s tree-planting effort. $10 is all it takes!