Arbor Day Newsletter March/April 2023

TREE CITY USA® IN ILLINOIS: A SHINING EXAMPLE OF THE POWER OF GROWTH AWARDS

ARBOR DAY FOUNDATION CHIEF EXECUTIVE, Dan Lambe

ARBOR DAY JOURNAL

ARBOR DAY IS AN IMPORTANT TIME for all of us. To celebrate the wonders of trees. To appreciate the beauty and benefits they provide. And perhaps to put a spade in the ground and plant another tree for future generations to enjoy. And as the last Friday of April nears, I feel a palpable buzz of excitement among the Arbor Day Foundation staff and our planting partners. I hope you feel it as well.

Because this is a holiday to get excited about. It’s a day dedicated to honoring and enjoying the green spaces in our lives … to join together on the common ground of trees and celebrate all they do for us today and into the future.

The spirit of Arbor Day is reflected in much of the Foundation’s work, but most of all in the Tree City USA program. Cities and towns of all sizes are recognized each year for their dedication to a tree canopy that helps to define and protect their communities. The work happening in these places is inspiring, and these efforts are a shining example of what this holiday is all about.

I encourage all of you to embrace National Arbor Day in your community on April 28. For you, that could mean attending a local Arbor Day Proclamation and ceremonial tree planting. Or perhaps you could share your favorite memories of trees with your children or grandchildren. It could also be as simple as spending some time walking around your neighborhood or nearby park to appreciate all the different trees you encounter in your daily life.

However you choose to celebrate the tree planter’s holiday, know that we are all connected through our passion for trees.

Trees for Vermont

Increasing urban tree canopy where the state needs it most

IN ADDITION TO MAPLE SYRUP and Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, Vermont is known for its forested beauty. Hardwoods and conifers dominate the rural landscape. But in the state’s urban spaces, trees aren’t always so abundant.

The Vermont Urban & Community Forestry Program — a collaboration between the Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation and the University of Vermont Extension — is set up to change that. With the help of the Arbor Day Foundation’s Community Canopy program, trees are being distributed to residents where they are needed most in urban areas. These efforts are part of the state’s Climate Action Plan.

Since 2017, more than 1,600 Vermont residents have received 2,835 free trees at pickup events held in both the spring and fall. They also receive information about planting and care for their new trees.

Trees are being distributed to residents where they are needed most in urban areas.

How do they decide which communities receive trees? This is the unique component to this program. “We partner with the Department of Health and used their data to select communities that are most vulnerable to heat-related illness,” said Gwen Kozlowski, the program’s outreach & education coordinator. “The heat vulnerability index compiles six categories and 17 different factors, ranging from population to environmental. In these areas, trees are part of the solution as they can help provide shade and cooling.”

These efforts are ensuring that the most vulnerable residents in Vermont get the important benefits trees provide.

Pickup events are held across the state so residents can claim a free tree and improve their community canopy.

Nebraska City, Nebraska

A Colorful Celebration of Trees

New mural welcomes visitors to Arbor Day Farm

FROM FOREST TRAILS TO A 50-FOOTHIGH TREEHOUSE, our Arbor Day Farm property has countless opportunities to interact with nature.

Last fall, we unveiled a new experience for visitors — a tree-themed mural on the side of the Apple House Market.

The mural was completed by Omaha artist Maggie Heusinkvelt. It features eight words describing trees, like “home,” “joy,” and “tradition,” to invite viewers to reflect on the many ways trees enrich their lives.

“When I think of a tree, yes, it’s this living thing that is here to provide shade. And you’ve got all of these scientific or ecological benefits from trees. But when you take a step back and think of a tree, from a humanity standpoint … [it’s] much more than that. It is something that is nurturing. It can be very peaceful. It offers a sense of hope,” Maggie said.

“A tree is much more than just this living being with leaves and bark. It’s something that is celebrated. And it is something that can be a beacon of positivity and joy for a lot of people.”

The painting took five days to complete. Maggie began by projecting the mural design onto the side of the building, then outlining the different shapes.

The bright colors and bold lines of the mural were an intentional choice. Maggie wanted the mural to appeal to all ages, comparing the style to a comic book or children’s book.

“We really wanted to create a scene where families or people could stand in front to take a picture — so they can interact with it,” she said.

Having grown up visiting the farm as a child, Maggie says it was rewarding to be involved with the project.

“When I was contacted by the Arbor Day Foundation, I was like, ‘Wow, this is really cool.’ I love trees. I love nature. I love the mission. And I would really love to be able to give back to that in some way,” she said.

She hopes the mural will continue to inspire visitors all year round.

“I really want people to leave the mural thinking about, ‘Okay, what can a tree be to me?’ So long as they’re joyful and happy and are able to think about things a little more deeply, then that’s all I could ask for,” Maggie said.

See the Mural Come Together

Check out a timelapse of the project at arborday.org/mural.

Tree City USA® Growth Awards

One state’s efforts to enhance its urban forest

The Tree City USA Growth Award is additional recognition for Tree Cities demonstrating increased levels of tree care and community engagement. They are committed to not only becoming Tree Cities but going further — building a deep connection between their communities and the urban forest.

This award recognizes major milestones and annual activities in five categories that combine to build sustainable community forestry programs over the long term. To be eligible, Tree City USA communities must earn a total of 10 points from a list of nearly 90 qualifying activities and milestones, each with a value of 1-10 points.

And Tree Cities throughout Illinois are stepping up for this Growth Award.

Committed to the Community Forests of Illinois

Cities and towns crisscrossing Illinois are earning Tree City USA recognition. Nearly 200 communities were recognized last year, with more than 60% of the state’s population living in a Tree City. But the dedication to trees doesn’t stop there. Approximately half of these Tree Cities also earned a Growth Award.

Mike Brunk, urban forestry administrator for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, has been a proponent of the Tree City USA program throughout his career in urban forestry. He sees the Growth Awards as an opportunity to build resiliency in urban forestry statewide. “I appreciate all the communities that engage — small and large communities, those that are advanced and well-situated in urban forestry and those that are just beginning to advocate for tree care and preservation,” he said. “I work with mayors, community arborists and foresters, department directors, some field staff. Those are the leaders that I work with, the players that help me enhance the vitality of communities and community forestry across the state.”

Throughout Illinois, communities of all sizes are dedicated to ensuring a healthy tree canopy — including the City of Chicago.

From Mike’s perspective, the Growth Awards are shining a spotlight on the innovation happening all around — innovation he can share with communities across the state in his monthly e-newsletter. This innovation is also being shared among the urban forestry community. He mentioned that “many of the municipal arborists get together, especially around the Chicago and northern Illinois region, and they have monthly meetings. They share ordinances, they share tree removal and tree pruning contracts, and there’s a lot of that camaraderie going on.”

Outstanding Examples of Growth

With nearly 100 Growth Award recipients in Illinois, it’s easy to see that urban forestry has been prioritized in many communities statewide. The Village of Glenview is one of those communities.

This suburb of Chicago is home to nearly 47,000 people — and plenty of trees. In fact, the village has received Tree City USA recognition for 37 years and the Growth Award for 13 years. “Trees are important in northeastern Illinois,” said Robyn Flakne, natural

resources manager for the community. “They soften the effects of the thoroughly urbanized environment and provide residents with a respite and reconnection to nature – in a very accessible way. While doing so, they are providing aesthetic and economic benefits to the entire community.”

The people of Glenview have dedicated themselves to caring for those trees, qualifying for a Growth Award through a variety of activities including:

• Maintaining an Environment and Natural Resources Commission focused on improving the village’s natural areas.

• Updating the public tree species planting list.

• Reducing waste by providing wood chips to residents and public planting projects.

• Improving bike and pedestrian trails.

• Partnering with Scouts troops to plant native plants and trees on private property.

• Providing educational opportunities throughout the year.

Another Illinois community actively involved in the Tree City USA program is Springfield. Known as the home of Abraham Lincoln, this city of more than 113,000 people also boasts a thriving urban forest. A total of 28 years of Tree City status and six Growth Awards reinforce that fact.

According to Mike, one of their standout accomplishments over the years included the development of an Urban Forestry Commission to help maintain a focus on Springfield’s trees. This past year, the community’s path to a Growth Award included:

• Grant funding for tree inventory work.

• Recycling of all leaf and woody debris from municipal tree care.

• A new member added to their Urban Forestry Commission.

• More trees planted than removed throughout the city.

Moving the Needle for Urban Forestry

Illinois is one example of the power that comes with a focus on community trees and a readiness to share ideas. As more communities across the country begin to deepen their involvement in the Tree City USA program, more people will have access to the trees they need to thrive.

You can learn more about the Tree City USA Growth Award and the list of qualifying activities at arborday.org/growthaward

Promise Kept: TeamTrees Reaches Original Planting Milestone

THREE AND A HALF YEARS AGO, YouTube stars Mr. Beast and Mark Rober challenged their followers to raise $20 million to plant 20 million trees around the world.

The campaign — dubbed TeamTrees — took off immediately. In the first 24 hours, it raised more than $3 million. And in less than two months, it met its fundraising goal with the help of 800,000 people from more than 200 countries and territories.

and South America. And their impact is undeniable. USDA Forest Service models show the environmental impact of planting 20 million trees is like taking 1.24 million cars off the road for a year. These trees will clean our air, filter our water, support wildlife, and provide a source of food and income for countless communities.

Donations from TeamTrees have allowed the Arbor Day Foundation to quickly mobilize reforestation efforts in areas that need them most. Along the Willamette River in Oregon, the initiative has planted 500,000 trees to restore water quality and support salmon populations.

From the beginning, the Arbor Day Foundation partnered with TeamTrees to handle the planting side of the project. We’re excited to share that, thanks to this partnership, all 20 million trees are now in the ground ahead of schedule.

An Unprecedented Movement

The 20 million crowdfunded trees have been planted across Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, North America,

But perhaps the most amazing part of this campaign has been seeing people of all ages come together to help our planet. While TeamTrees drew support from several large tech founders, the vast majority of funds came from donors who gave an average of $5. This passionate group has propelled the campaign well past its original goal, with more than $24 million raised to date and more donations coming in daily.

We’ve loved being part of the TeamTrees journey — and we’re excited to keep planting more trees thanks to this initiative.

Leave a Legacy Through Trees

NO MATTER HOW LARGE OR SMALL the contribution, your gift to the Arbor Day Foundation can have an impact that extends beyond your lifetime. And the best part is that you can make your gift using any of a long list of options. Simply choose what works best for you.

More common ways to give include:

• Tax-Free IRA Distributions

• Cash Gifts

INFORMATION PLEASE

n Please send me information about how to include the Arbor Day Foundation in my will.

n I have already named the Arbor Day Foundation in my will.

(All wishes for anonymity will be honored.)

Please print:

• Charitable Gift Annuities

• Gifts of Stock

• Gifts of Land

• Donor-Advised Funds

A donor-advised fund is a convenient, tax-deductible charitable giving program that makes it easy for donors to dedicate tax-deductible funds to support a nonprofit organization. Once you establish this fund, you can recommend grants to the Arbor Day Foundation to support tree planting efforts. This process can be streamlined through the use of an online tool such as DAF Direct, which is available on our website.

For more details, please consult your professional advisor, visit arborday.org/giftplanning, or contact us at 888-488-7337 ext. 9612 or development@arborday.org.

TREE BASICS

Making Good Use of Small Spaces

There’s always room for a flowering tree or shrub

FLOWERING TREES AND SHRUBS are one of the best parts of spring. Along with being beautiful to look at, they also play an important role in supporting bees, butterflies, and birds.

If you already have an ample amount of trees in your yard, consider planting one of these small, flowering varieties that tolerate shade.

KOUSA DOGWOOD

Hardiness Zones 5-8

White, star-like blooms

15' to 25' tall at maturity

LITTLE GEM MAGNOLIA

Hardiness Zones 6-10

White, cup-shaped blooms

15' to 20' tall at maturity

SHADBLOW SERVICEBERRY

Hardiness Zones 4-8

Small white blooms and red berries

15' to 25' tall at maturity

EASTERN REDBUD

Hardiness Zones 4-8

Rosy pink blooms

20' to 30' tall at maturity

PURPLELEAF SAND CHERRY

Hardiness Zones 3-7

Light pink to white blooms

7' to 10' tall at maturity

GATSBY MOON ® OAKLEAF HYDRANGEA

Hardiness Zones 5-9

White, cone-shaped blooms

6' to 8' tall at maturity

Find more flowering trees at arborday.org/floweringtrees.

Celebrate In Your Own Way

WHETHER YOU’RE ATTENDING A COMMUNITY EVENT or greening up your own yard, celebratearborday.com has everything you need to make this Arbor Day extra special.

Head over to the website to order celebration materials, view a map with events in your area, pick up trees and planting tips, and much more. We can’t wait to see how you ring in the tree planter’s holiday — make sure to share your photos on social media using #ArborDay!

THE RED DOGWOOD provides beautiful color throughout the seasons. Red blooms cover the tree in the spring, while reddish-purple leaves and glossy red fruit adorn it in the fall.

Along with being visually appealing, this dogwood’s small size makes it a great fit for any landscape. And get ready to see lots of wildlife, since its fruit and flowers attract critters of all kinds!

LEAVES: Dark green, oval, and 3" to 6" long.

FLOWERS: Four reddish-pink petals with white, notched tips.

FRUIT: Red, glossy berries, approximately ½" in length, that

ripen in the fall and persist into winter.

FORM: 25' to 30' tall with an equal spread. It grows in a rounded shape and often has multiple trunks.

BARK: Reddish-purple when young, becoming grayish-brown with age. Bark on older trees is broken into small, square blocks.

WILDLIFE VALUE: Attracts butterflies, birds, squirrels, and deer.

PLANTING: Prefers full sun or partial shade. It is tolerant of many soil types, including acidic, loamy, moist, rich, sandy, well-drained, and clay. Plant in hardiness zones 5 through 9 for best results.

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/reddogwood or scan this QR code.

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© Cindy Ruggieri