Embracing Trees

by Sonya Oppenheimer

The invitation wasn't exactly to hug a tree. But it was to embrace the idea of nurturing trees, of supporting American forests and far away rain forest rescue. And to plant trees in my own back yard.

The National Arbor Day Foundation had sent me a personalized letter, offering me ten free flowing trees if I accepted membership in the organization. For a moment, I thought someone had reconnoitered my neighborhood, noticed that neighbors had cut down scores of trees and earmarked my property as the replacement site. The reality, of course, is that my name came from a purchased list.

According to Gary Brienzo, Communications Manager for the National Arbor Day Foundation, this into-my-mailbox approach is unusual. As a not for profit with very limited funds, the kindness of the media, with magazines including Time and local radio and TV stations running free ads, is the bedrock of their outreach for membership.

My trees have arrived, bare rooted, packed with rooting gel and sealed into a moisture containing packet. They're dormant, varying in height from twelve to twenty four inches and ready to be placed in a container of water for three to six hours and then planted in time for National Arbor Day, the last Friday in April.

The assortment includes two each of Flowering Crabapple (Malus sargentii), American Redbud (Cercis canadensis), Washington Hawthorn (Crataegus phaenopyrum), White Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida), Goldenraintree (Koelreuteria paniculata), and a surprise bonus eleventh tree: Crapemyrtle (Lagerstroemia indica).

As showy landscape choices, their flowers will offer a wide palate from classic white through vivid yellow onto rosy pink, vibrant red and even an array of leaf colors. The Washington Hawthorn, which shows white flowers and reddish-purple leaves during June blooming, displays dark green leaves over summer which change to orange, scarlet or purple with glossy-red fruits which stay on the tree into winter.

What these trees all have in common is their attractiveness to songbirds. From early spring through winter's frigid days, the birds will find dining delights. For example, the fruit of a crabapple tree remains attached long after traditional fall harvest time and doesn't become palatable until after it has frozen and thawed numerous times.

The National Arbor Day Foundation offers a Trees In Memory and Trees in Celebration program. For every dollar donated, a tree is planted to help restore a national forest and an acknowledgment card is sent. Similar programs are offered by many state, county and municipal parks.

The attraction to songbirds provides more than aesthetic benefits. Songbirds like mixed cuisine: nectar plus insects.

The National Arbor Day Foundation's membership drive is an ongoing process, as is the offer of free trees to new members plus a selection of attractively priced trees to existing members. Shipping of the dormant trees, however, is limited to spring and fall, based upon hardiness zones. Choices of packages are also based upon locale, although all are designed for wildlife value.

Wildlife isn't the only thing in mind, according to Gary Brienzo. “You hear a lot about global warming; there has never been a better time to plant trees." Today, he notes, we face different challenges from the genesis of Arbor Day in 1872.

Then, J. Sterling Morton, a pioneer to the Nebraska Territory, editor of Nebraska's first newspaper and secretary of the territory, wanted to literally change the face of the treeless plain. Pleased with the results gained from the trees and shrubs he and his wife planted around their home, he used his newspaper as a bully puppet to preach the benefits of planting trees starting with beauty and shade, moving on to wind breaks, prevention of soil erosion, and on to local material for fuel and building.

When the new state of Nebraska declared the first Arbor Day on April 10, 1872, it was estimated that one million trees were planted within the state on that day. Today, the Arbor Day Foundation is still headquartered in Nebraska but the thrust to educate and encourage tree planting is not limited by state boundaries.

In addition to encouraging us to plant trees on our own property, The National Arbor Day Foundation asks us to embrace the idea of more trees within our municipalities, our counties, our states. Its website and printed material are excellent sources for information about planting, nurturing and maintaining trees, including special hints about caring for fruit trees.

"Don't skimp on the water." That's Jeff Van Pelt's prime hint for turning seedlings into flourishing trees. Check the ground moisture daily. New plantings need lost of water, initially and throughout the first two or three years.

The National Arbor Day Foundation:
100 Arbor Avenue
Nebraska City, NE 68410
888-448-7337 or www.arborday.org

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