A SPOTLIGHT ON THE LARGEST AND SMALLEST TREE CITIES FEATURED ARTICLE
DAN LAMBE Chief Executive, Arbor Day Foundation
The Arbor Day Foundation recently reached a benchmark that showcases the strength — and breadth — of our vibrant network of members and supporters: We have engaged tree planters in 95% of neighborhoods across the country in the past year.
Think about that for a moment. As you walk your dog, or drive to work, or go on a bike ride with your family, there’s a good chance you pass by an Arbor Day Foundation tree. Each of these trees, no matter why they were planted or who they were planted by, support your community with the many layers of benefits trees provide.
To know our members, network of supporters, and planting partners give us an ability to plant trees virtually anywhere in the U.S. is profound. But now it’s time for us, together, to go deeper where trees are still needed. We will continue to focus on planting trees in the neighborhoods and forests that research and data tell us will benefit most from the power of trees.
Together, we can do something bigger than all of us. Thank you for being bold enough to believe a better tomorrow is possible through trees.
RESTORING NATURE’S COASTAL GUARDIANS
The vital role of mangrove forests and a commitment to replanting them
Skimming the shorelines of a variety of tropical and subtropical coastal environments are forests with an otherworldly look. A strange latticework of above-ground roots, a constant pooling of freshwater and ocean water, and an incredibly diverse array of wildlife define the awe-inspiring mangrove forests.
Unfortunately, these forests have faced massive devastation, which is why the Arbor Day Foundation is meeting the challenge together with a growing network of on-the-ground partners emphasizing mangrove restoration.
A CRITICAL ECOSYSTEM IN NEED OF RESTORATION
Mangrove forests play a crucial role in maintaining coastal health and biodiversity. These forests act as filters, cleaning freshwater from inland streams before it reaches the ocean. They are also on the frontlines for coastlines, protecting against damaging storm surge. Many species also rely on these forests for habitat, and local communities in turn rely on the fish found among the roots for a source of food and income. All of this is in addition to a mangrove’s highly efficient carbon capture capabilities.
In many areas, however, mangroves have been heavily impacted by human activity, cut down for firewood and building materials. Shrimp farming has also contributed to the degradation. The result can be barren coastlines creating a chain-reaction of problems.
“As the mangroves declined, so did the fish populations. And so there weren’t the sustainable livelihoods anymore,” said Kathleen Buckingham, director of science at veritree, a climate tech partner dedicated to integrating technology into the restoration of these forests.
THE TIME TO REPLANT IS NOW
To ensure all the benefits of mangrove forests continue, action is needed. The Foundation is actively working to support mangrove restoration efforts around the globe. To date, more than 2 million trees have been planted in mangrove forests thanks to dedicated members and corporate supporters. And current planting projects in Guatemala and Kenya are underway through partnerships with Restoration Era, veritree, and local communities.
As the trees repopulate the coastline, these forests will once again thrive. And ecosystem benefits will be restored. This is critical work — a bold step toward a better future for all of us.
Eden ReforestationProjects
FROM THE BIG APPLE TO A LITTLE-KNOWN NORTH DAKOTA TOWN
A look into two very different communities benefiting from the same iconic Arbor Day Foundation program
From the home of Broadway and arguably the best-known city park on the planet, to a tiny outpost on the Great Plains of North Dakota, the Arbor Day Foundation’s Tree City USA program is helping cities of all sizes create stronger communities with more trees. The four core standards may be the same for each of the nearly 4,000 cities and towns around the country proudly proclaiming status as a Tree City. But their approach to stewardship of urban trees can look very different from place to place.
Want to understand just how different two Tree Cities can be? Look no further than the program’s largest participating city, New York City, and our smallest, Sibley, North Dakota.
SIBLEY: THE SMALLEST OF SMALL-TOWN AMERICA
Sibley, North Dakota, population 20, is tucked into 25 acres about 80 miles northwest of Fargo. The town has a single park — Tootsville Park, named after one of the community’s founders, Edythe “Toots” Hagglund. What it lacks in size it makes up for in commitment to trees.
Sibley has been a recognized Tree City for 12 consecutive years, and much of the needed tree care happens within the park thanks to support from grant funding. And while Tree City USA recognition provides cities with a level of credibility and legitimacy when applying for grant dollars, that’s not the only reason they apply each year. Annual recognition is about connecting with the community’s history. One of the first things Sibley’s founders did was plant trees.
NEW YORK CITY: A GREEN GIANT
The Big Apple sits in stark contrast of Sibley in many ways. Its population has boomed to 8.65 million residents, and it boasts a multitude of iconic parks, including Central Park. (Fun fact: Central Park is large enough to encompass 34 towns the size of Sibley.) Roughly half of the city’s trees have taken root in public spaces. The NYC Parks Department is responsible for nearly 700,000 street trees and 5 million park trees across the five boroughs.
NYC has received Tree City USA recognition for 28 years in a row and Tree Cities of the World recognition for 5 years. Its desire to fly the Tree City flag is not about gaining tree care tips; it has a large team of well-trained professionals. Here, it’s about engaging their residents in the value of trees and nature while also being connected to a global network of cities committed to their urban forests.
DIFFERENT CITIES, SAME PASSION
While these communities look very different on paper (and in person), one common thread connects them — a tireless dedication to their trees. It’s what connects all 3,577 cities and towns that participate in the Tree City USA program. And when communities are engaged in the care of their community forests, we all benefit.
WHAT IF YOUR COMMUNITY ISN’T A TREE CITY?
The Tree City USA standards are designed to be inclusive for all cities and towns. Find out if your community is already recognized at arborday.org/treecities. If you’re not on the list, reach out to your municipality to discuss applying for recognition.
TACKLING MUST-DO SPRINGTIME TREE CARE
Expert advice from the Foundation’s resident arborist
As the weather warms and trees come out of dormancy, it’s time to begin some landscaping care. But a quick online search could reveal a list of tasks that seems never-ending. To help you understand where to spend your time and energy first, Dr. Eric North, certified arborist with the Arbor Day Foundation, shares his thoughts on what you should focus on — and a couple tasks to skip.
TASKS TO TACKLE
Watering: Once the ground is thawed, you can start watering before the leaves come out, especially if it was a dry winter.
Inspection: Look your tree over for any damage from critters, particularly along the trunk, or broken branches from snow or ice. If you think your tree died in the winter, wait before removing. Some trees are late bloomers.
Mulching: Refresh or redistribute mulch, especially around young trees. A ring of mulch 2 to 4 inches deep around the tree and at least 2 inches away from the trunk (think donut) helps retain moisture and reduce weeds.
Pruning: Prune broken branches and remove any fallen branches caught in the tree. Avoid pruning
anything else, as some branches can be slow to leaf out.
Frost Protection: If you’re expecting a late frost, cover your small tree or shrubs with a sheet or light blanket, leaving it open to the ground at the base. This will protect the newly expanding leaves or flowers.
WHAT NOT TO WORRY ABOUT
Leaf Litter: Leave the leaves! A leaf layer around the base of plants and trees can provide excellent habitat for beneficial insects and tends to break down quickly in the spring rains, adding nutrients for tree roots.
Fertilizing: Don’t fertilize trees unless you’ve had a soil test to determine what nutrients are missing.
Dr. Eric North Program manager, Urban forestry Arbor Day Foundation
HELPING THE GOPHER TORTOISE MAKE A COMEBACK
Priority planting projects across the American Southeast are benefitting this busy
burrower
Nestled deep in burrows beneath the sandhill coastal plains, the gopher tortoise has uplifted the spirits of environmental activists around the country. That’s because in October 2022, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced the gopher tortoise was no longer an endangered species across most of its range in the American Southeast.
It’s a huge success for the species. And this environmental win extends even further to the more than 350 different animals and insects that rely on gopher tortoise tunnels beneath longleaf pine forests for their survival.
The population rebound is, in part, reflective of an immense and collaborative effort from conservationists. Part of that effort is the Arbor Day Foundation’s dedication to restoring longleaf pine ecosystems throughout the American Southeast. The organization has worked with trusted partners in this area for more than a decade, planting tens of thousands of longleaf pines to restore the natural forests that these reptiles rely on for habitat.
Read more about the gopher tortoise, its big rebound, and how this reptile thrives in conjunction with longleaf pines at arborday.org/tortoise
THE FUTURE IS COUNTING ON YOU
We all have a role to play in shaping a greener future. One with a thriving neighborhood tree canopy, vibrant forest ecosystems, and a healthier planet for future generations. This is a future that’s going to take all of us doing everything we can.
Here’s your moment to make an impact that will last well beyond your lifetime. With help from the Arbor Day Foundation, you can leave a legacy through trees.
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CENTENNIAL STAR MAGNOLIA
Magnolia stellata ‘Centennial’
With fragrant flowers, dark green leaves, and striking gray bark, this hardy magnolia is a real standout. Once you see it in bloom, there will be no question as to why “star” is in the name. These white beauties are tinged with pink, and the petal arrangement creates a starburst effect.
In the landscape, this petite species works well as a single specimen or foundation planting and attracts both birds and butterflies. It is also adaptable to most soils, as long as the site is well-drained.
This tree thrives in nearly every location in the U.S., including hardiness zones 4–9. It grows to a height of 15–20 feet with a spread of 10–15 feet.
To purchase or learn more about this tree and others, visit arborday.org/starmagnolia or scan this QR code.
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
Lincoln, NE 68508. We want your tree planting efforts to be successful!
