SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2022 • ARBORDAY.ORG TREECOMMUNITYRECOVERY OUR RESPONSE TO A GROWING NEED FOR NEIGHBORHOOD TREES … AND HOPE.
On the cover: Schoolchildren get involved in the tree planting demonstration at the Community Tree Recovery tree distribution in Bayard, Nebraska.
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WITH THE RECENT CELEBRATION of the 150th anniversary of Arbor Day and the 50th anniversary of the Arbor Day Foundation, there has been a lot of time for reflection. On the nearly 500 million trees we have planted and distributed. On the power of our dedicated members and partners to create meaningful impact. And on where we go from here. This is an exciting milestone, but we know we can’t rest on our laurels — we can’t even simply match our current pace of tree planting. The environmental challenges we are facing on a global scale demand greater action. That’s why we are announcing an ambitious goal: planting 500 million trees in the next five years. Yes, you read that right. We are rallying our partners and members to join us in a monumental effort to plant as many trees in five years has we have in the past five decades. Over the years, we have learned just how much trees can make a difference. Yet people and the planet need trees now more than ever before, as trees and forests have the ability to help solve some of the world’s biggest problems. This 500-million-tree goal is our way of stepping up, saying we’re ready to be part of the positive change that must happen in the coming years. And we’re ready to push ourselves to make it a reality. As we plan for this level of scale, one word has been at the forefront: focus. We need to focus our efforts on neighborhoods and forests where trees are needed most. With our science-based approach, our history of effective tree planting, and our network of planting partners around the world, we have a solid roadmap that will help us achieve our goal at the scale and pace needed to make it happen.
And we have each of you. Our members are the heart and soul of this movement, helping to plant the right trees in the right places at the right time for the right reasons. Whether we are restoring community tree canopy after a storm, adding much-needed green spaces to historically underserved neighborhoods, or revitalizing a National Forest in need, your support is what makes it possible.
When we work together — when we focus our energy and effort on making monumental change that benefits everyone — we have the ability to solve the world’s greatest problems, one tree at a time.
Thank you for your ongoing dedication to trees and your commitment to a greener tomorrow.
MILLION500TREES in the next YEARSFIVE ARBOR DAY FOUNDATION CHIEF EXECUTIVE, Dan Lambe 2 ARBOR DAY • September/October 2022 • 888-448-7337 • arborday.org
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The combination of cool autumn temperatures and rainfall helps to quickly establish their root systems, making it easier for them to withstand extreme heat or drought come June.
Trees can be planted until the ground is frozen solid. Generally, it takes several hard frosts to get to that point. As long as you’re able to stick your spade in the soil, you’re able to plant your trees and have them successfully grow. To make things easier, we recommend pre-digging your holes before your trees arrive and storing the soil in a garage or tool shed to prevent it fromManyhardening.people opt to plant in pots when they can’t plant their trees right away. However, we advise against this. Changing temperatures can freeze the soil in the pot and lead to it cracking. Because of their constricted space, the tree will also get little oxygen.
Ready to Plant?
The Arbor Day Foundation has hundreds of trees and shrubs for sale in our online nursery. And, for every order you place, a tree is planted in a forest in need. Visit arborday.org/nursery to get started.
n Benefits of Planting in the Fall
Planting in the fall allows trees to better prepare for the stress of summer.
n When Does Fall Begin and End, Exactly?
Many people avoid planting in the fall because they believe their new trees won’t survive the harsh winter ahead. However, trees are designed to survive these conditions by going dormant when exposed to freezing temperatures. This hibernation state slows down their growth, energy consumption, and metabolism, making them surprisingly resilient to chilly weather.
n What to Do After Planting Your Tree Be sure to mulch and water your tree after planting it — even if it’s cold out.
SPRING TENDS TO STEAL THE SPOTLIGHT when it comes to gardening and landscaping. But did you know fall is widely considered the best time of year to plant trees? While it may seem backwards to plant going into the colder months, doing so has a host of benefits that will allow your trees to thrive well into the future.
Mulch is important for retaining moisture, and it plays a particularly important role in the fall. If the soil around your tree is left exposed and repeatedly freezes and thaws during the winter, it can cause the tree to heave out of the ground.
n Fall Planting Guidelines
Fall begins September 22 and officially ends on December 21. This lines up with most nurseries’ shipping schedules, as even in mid- to late-December, the ground is often still soft enough to dig into.
TREE BASICS
Fall: A Fantastic Time to Plant Trees
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A Passion for
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On 6 ARBOR DAY • September/October 2022 • 888-448-7337 • arborday.org
JOHN LEWIS WAS A BELOVED CHAMPION of the civil rights movement. After leading countless sit-ins, marches, and protests against segregation, he went on to serve as U.S. Representative for Georgia for more than 30 Lewisyears.passed away in December 2020. But today, his incredible legacy lives on through a new urban forest in Atlanta.TheJohn Lewis Flowering Forest was established in February of 2021 by Trees Atlanta, the Freedom Park Conservancy, and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights. It’s located along John Lewis Freedom Parkway and runs through the city’s Freedom Park.
AN ARBOR DAY FOUNDATION SUPPORTER for more than 35 years, Christine found peace among the trees. And that came as no surprise, as she was raised by an avid tree planting father and a mother who loved birdwatching. In fact, she and her five siblings were all raised with a strong connection to the outdoors.
Christine included the Arbor Day Foundation in her will. And to honor her generosity, a portion of her bequest is being leveraged as a match for gifts from other donors and members — inspiring more people to support tree
Drew Magsamen, development officer for the Foundation, and Christine’s sister, Anne Rothe, meet to discuss the best way to use Christine’s gift.
John Lewis Flowering Forest takes shape in Atlanta
Christineplanting.knew
The first planting for the forest began on February 19 and ended on Lewis’ birthday, February 21. It also coincided with the state’s Arbor Day. During the three-day event, volunteers planted 300 flowering trees along the parkway. Lewis’ brother and extended family members were present to see the tribute unfold. “I have a love for the outdoors and value any opportunity to give back to the community,” said one volunteer. “The entire tree planting process was a learning experience and very rewarding!”
Three massive heritage trees created a backyard sanctuary in her Seattle home, and forests served as a stress reliever through the years. Park trails and urban gardens were welcome getaways — particularly in the final years of her life.
The Arbor Day Foundation provided many of the trees for the event, as well as trees for the second planting this Additionalyear.trees will continue to be added each February until thousands of them line all 1.5 miles of the parkway. The colorful array of species — including redbuds, magnolias, dogwoods, yellowwoods, buckeyes, and fringe trees — will begin to bloom around Lewis’ birthday and continue to blossom through late spring. Large fields of daffodils have also been planted, creating an even more spectacular show.
that she was leaving a lasting legacy, and you can too. To learn more about including the Arbor Day Foundation in your will or exploring how your bequest could be used as a match, contact Erin Mousel at 888-448-7337, ext. 9614, or email giftplanning@arborday.org
Volunteers gather at a memorial planting for John Lewis this past February. Trees Lives
It was an honor to contribute to this special project, and we can’t wait to see it grow in the coming years.
Honoring the Life of a Civil Rights Icon
KACEE has hosted the conference at Lied Lodge in the past — and executive director Laura Downey said coming back was a no-brainer.
Engaging Employees, Replanting Greece
FedEx employees and their families get involved in the planting efforts in Athens.
Nebraska City, Nebraska FROM WEDDINGS to family reunions to corporate retreats, it’s always a joy to see people come together at our Lied Lodge hotel and event space at Arbor DayIt’sFarm.especially fulfilling when we can host groups whose mission closely aligns with our own. That was the case this past spring, when the Kansas Association for Conservation and Environmental Education (KACEE) held its regional conference at the lodge. The event gathered dozens of educators from Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, and Wyoming for three days of learning and relaxation.
ARBOR DAY • September/October 2022 • 888-448-7337 • arborday.org 3 FOR RESERVATIONS TO STAY AT LIED LODGE: arbordayfarm.org • 800-546-5433
“In addition, as a group that loves the outdoors, we appreciate holding meetings in a place that has such beautiful facilities and grounds. It feels like being in a cozy cabin in theDuringwoods.”the day, the group enjoyed gathering in the lodge’s sunny meeting rooms. And in the evenings, many opted to explore the farm’s nature trails and cozy up by the“Wefireplace.recognize that our environmental education folks work hard, and a stay at Lied Lodge is a nice way to say ‘We value you and appreciate you,’” Laura said. Learn more and book your own special trip today by visiting arbordayfarm.org/accommodations
WHEN IT COMES TO GLOBAL TREE PLANTING, FedEx is dedicated to making an impact where their employees live and work. And Athens, Greece, is no different. The city experienced raging wildfires in 2015 that charred an area of mountainous landscape. While some shrubs have regrown in the burn scar, the native trees have not returned.
FedEx supports reforestation efforts in Athens
“From the recycling opportunities to using locally sourced food and all the conservation practices put in Environmental Educators Find Inspiration at Lied Lodge place, Lied Lodge is a venue that works hard to be part of the solution, not part of the problem,” Laura said.
This spring, with the help of 85 FedEx volunteers, 400 cypress trees were planted to help restore the tree canopy. As they grow, these trees will serve as a biodiversity hub for the city, supply more oxygen to residents, and provide more scenic beauty for people enjoying the outdoors in Athens.
Environmental educators from Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska, Wyoming, and Missouri gather in front of the Lied Lodge fireplace.
This year, Community Tree Recovery distribution events were held across the country to provide support as residents rebuild their homes and their neighborhoods.
After six months of cleanup, residents were ready to breathe new life back into the community —with the help of trees. And the Arbor Day Foundation was ready to make it happen. On the morning of March 12, a total of 500 trees were distributed to eager tree planters to restore Lafitte’s urban canopy. These trees will help with stormwater management, reduce heat islands, and support area wildlife.
T hroughout the years, much about the Arbor Day Foundation’s Community Tree Recovery program has remained the same. We are as committed as ever to helping cities and towns affected by natural disaster restore their tree canopies — providing much-needed hope and healing with each new tree. And we continue to work with local partners to ensure that trees are distributed at the right time for recovery.
Lafitte, Louisiana: Hurricane This fishing town was devastated by Hurricane Ida in the fall of 2021. Winds as high as 160 miles per hour, saltwater intrusion, and flooding during the storm led to an enormous amount of tree loss on top of the damage to buildings and homes.
4 ARBOR DAY • September/October 2022 • 888-448-7337 • arborday.org COMMUNITY TREE RECOVERY
According to Kathy Powajbo, a resident of Lafitte, the trees mean so much more. “Our community was devastated by Hurricane Ida and we lost many trees. It sort of looks like a war zone,” Kathy said. “These trees will definitely beautify our community, but more importantly, the trees give us a sign of life, hope, and recovery. Thank you so very much to everyone! It was a joyful day!”
A Beacon of Light Amid a Changing Climate
One thing that has changed, however, is frequency and intensity of these disasters. More and more neighborhoods are struggling to replace community trees in the wake of hurricanes, storms, tornadoes, wildfires, and insect infestations such as emerald ash borer. And that fact makes this program even more important for the future of our cities and towns.
Cedar Rapids, Iowa: Derecho In August of 2020, with little warning, a devastating derecho hit Cedar Rapids. This type of storm is very damaging and known for incredibly strong winds — in this case, bringing 140-mile-perhour winds that caused widespread devastation throughout the community. As people emerged after the storm, they found damaged homes, uprooted trees, and unrecognizable neighborhoods. More than 65% of the community tree canopy had been lost. The road to recovery has been long, and last fall, Cedar Rapids was finally ready to begin restoring the tree canopy they lost. With a storm of this magnitude, one day of tree distributions is not enough. Multiple Community Tree Recovery planting and distribution events were held in the fall of 2021 and spring of 2022 to help with recovery. In total, 767 trees were given out to residents and 100 trees were planted along city streets with the help of youth and adultAndvolunteers.justaseveryone in the community was touched by the storm, they were also touched by the new trees. In the words of Alice, a Cedar Rapids resident, “Words cannot describe how happy this makes me feel.”
Bayard, Nebraska: Emerald Ash Borer and Tornado After a tornado cut a path down the main street of Bayard in 2017, so many trees were lost. And not just any trees — those large, old trees that have helped to shape the community for generations. Now, the town faces even more canopy loss as emerald ash borer makes its way from both eastern Nebraska and Colorado. To help ensure a healthy tree canopy in the future, 180 trees were distributed in April. Churches, civic groups, and other organizations received 130 trees to be planted in public gathering spaces not owned by the city. The remaining 50 trees were given to homeowners.Theeventwas a huge success. Not only did residents experience a tree planting demonstration, but local schoolchildren also got involved. “The Bayard tree board chairperson is also the elementary school principal,” said Chrissy Land, the western community forester for the Nebraska Forest Service. “The entire elementary school attended the event, which was so much fun. We also had kids from the FFA helping out with the trees.”
The Work Must Go On As the need continues to grow for the Community Tree Recovery program, we are confident that the Arbor Day Foundation can continue to offer this assistance. Together with our dedicated members and supporters, we will help cities and towns restore their tree canopy after natural disasters … no matter how severe … and become whole again.
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WILDLIFE VALUE: The live oak’s acorns are enjoyed by songbirds, quails, wood ducks, wild turkeys, squirrels, and deer.
© 2022 Arbor Day Foundation. The Foundation sometimes exchanges mailing lists with selected organizations with offers of interest to our members. If you do not want your name included, just write, email, or call Member Services and tell us not to exchange your name.
LEAVES: Glossy, dark green, and leathery with a paler underside often covered with fine down.
An official publication of We guarantee delivery of healthy trees to our members. Please check ordering deadlines and shipping dates at arborday.org/shipping. If you need to contact us about your trees, call 888-448-7337, email us at info@arborday.org, or drop us a note at Member Services, Arbor Day Foundation, 211 N. 12th St., Lincoln, NE 68508. We want your tree planting efforts to be successful! To purchase or learn more about this tree and others, visit arborday.org/liveoak or scan this QR code.
FRUIT: Green acorns, approximately 3/4" in length, which turn dark brown as they mature.
FORM: 40' to 80' tall with a 60' to 80' spread, a rounded crown, and nearly horizontal lower branches.
BARK: Blocky and dark, sometimes black on older trees.
Live Oak Quercus virginiana
50135201
PLANTING: Requires a spacious, sunny area. Adaptable to a variety of soil textures, but grows best on sites that are moist, well-drained, and within an acidic pH range of 4 to 7. Suitable for hardiness zones 7 to 10. THE LIVE OAK is an iconic Southern tree. Its exceptionally strong wood was used in the construction of early navy ships, including “Old Ironsides.” It is also known for its sweeping, horizontal branches, as seen in the worldfamous Angel Oak in Charleston, South ThoughCarolina.rooted in history, this tree continues to be a great choice for modern landscapes. It offers ample shade, superior wind resistance, adaptability to various soil types, and stand-out beauty through all four seasons.
FLOWERS: Hairy, yellow-green catkins on males, and small red shoots on females.
