Earth Gauge reminds us that:

April 24^th is National Arbor Day as well as DC Arbor Day. The first Arbor Day took place in April of 1872 in Nebraska – it is estimated that more than one million trees were planted! Today, every state celebrates Arbor Day.

 

Viewer Tip: The National Arbor Day Foundation has several suggestions for celebrating Arbor Day this year:

 

If weather permits, plant a tree with family or friends. Enter your zip code into the hardiness zone finder to find out which trees are most popular in your zone: www.arborday.org/treeinfo/zonelookup.cfm. Learn to identify trees. Use Arbor Day’s Tree Identification tool for the Central/Eastern U.S: www.arborday.org/trees/whattree/WhatTree.cfm?ItemID=E6A. Take a hike or visit a local park to enjoy the outdoors. Weather is not cooperating? Plan your next planting! Use the Arbor Day Tree Finder to find trees that will work well in your landscape: http://www.arborday.org/trees/treeguide/.

 

DC's State Tree is the Scarlet Oak. Scarlet Oak acorns provide food forsongbirds, wild turkeys, grouse, whitetail deer and squirrels. The tree’s signature red leaf color lasts well into winter, providing wonderful color in the landscape.. Learn more: http://www.arborday.org/states/index.cfm?state=DC.

(Sources: National Arbor Day Foundation: The Arbor Day History Book, www.arborday.org/arborday/history.cfm and How to Celebrate Arbor Day, www.arborday.org/arborday/celebrate.cfm)