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Arbor Day: 5 reasons to plant the family tree

Arbor Day: The family tree is good for the planet – 5 reasons to plant one, or more

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Arbor Day is a great time to plant the family tree. At Armin Jahr Elementary school in Bremerton, Wash. first and second graders fill in the dirt on one of three red cedar trees planted April 11 for Arbor Day.

Arbor Day is celebrated annually, on the last Friday in April. Some states however, do celebrate the day on different dates, according to the Arbor Day Foundation, to coincide with the best spring “planting” time.

There are so many reasons it is important to plant, cherish, and maintain trees in your life, in your yard, community, state, and country. Join us and learn our 5 Top Reasons.

What are yours?!

1. Social Reasons – Trees make us happy! Trees are a strong support during hot summer days, and on windy or rainy days as well. Trees provide shade for us, cool our homes with their branches and are often planted to mark a special event which lets us remember year after year, that special day, event or person. Trees bring us peace, make us feel strong, and help make our communities more livable places.

2. Environmental Reasons – Trees and, in particular, forests of trees, act as “carbon sinks” absorbing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. As we humans pump more and more human caused carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, forests absorb a significant amount of this carbon dioxide, helping to mitigate the most harmful affects from global warming. To see how one forest can help, check out what the Nature Conservancy is doing to restore the Atlantic Forest in Brazil!

3. Economic Reasons – Trees enhance the beauty and therefore the value of property, both private and commercial. We value well-managed forests for the wealth and resources they can provide us. Trees provide us with food to sustain us and serve as important crops worldwide. Trees are home to many animals, birds and insects which can also help protect and enhance the economic benefits nature provides.

4. Health Reasons – Trees act as natures water filters, controlling storm run off, erosion and flooding. They help reduce sound by absorbing noise in cities and help cool us with their shade. Trees absorb a wide range of air pollutants, helping to improve air quality, particularly in urban centers, where the “heat island” effect is exacerbated.

5. Just Because Reasons – Strength, inspiration, beauty, security, safety, serenity….Because...

The Christian Science Monitor has assembled a diverse group of the best family and parenting bloggers out there. Our contributing and guest bloggers are not employed or directed by the Monitor, and the views expressed are the bloggers' own, as is responsibility for the content of their blogs. Harriet Shugarman blogs at ClimateMama.

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