Arbor Day Traditions

EARTH—Arbor Day falls on Fri., April 26, 2019. Celebrate by planting a tree or caring for one that could use some attention.

There are several reasons for a tree to not look its best. Drought tends to cause leaf wilting, leaf scorch, stem dieback, and increased susceptibility to pests and diseases.

Diseases vary depending upon the species of tree and the region of growth. Some of the most common diseases to look out for are Dutch Elm Disease, Dogwood Anthracnose, and Sudden Oak Death.

Other reasons a tree’s health might decline are improper planting and another, more invasive species. One common improper planting issue occurs when the root flare (the point where the trunk begins to spread out as it meets the roots) is too deep. This will cause a slow decline, ultimately killing the tree.

Waitsburg sits in hardiness zone 7 where a variety of plant species proliferate. Fruit trees that do well in our zone are early harvest apple, moorpark apricot, sargent cherry, peach, and grape vines. Flowering trees that grow heartily here are dynamite crapemyrtle, lilac, star magnolia, sweet mockorange, weigela, and hydrangea.

Our climate can also accommodate many oak species including bur, chinkapin, live, northern red, overcup, pin, sawtooth, scarlet, shumard, and white.

Oak trees have the distinguished honor of being America’s national tree. Congress passed legislation so designating the oak in November 2004.

The official recognition of oak as America’s National Tree reflects a vote hosted by The National Arbor Day Foundation at its website, arborday.org, in which Americans of all ages and from all walks of life helped choose the country’s newest national symbol.

Tree City USA is an Arbor Day Foundation campaign to uphold tree planting ideals year-round. Working in cooperation with the USDA Forest Service, Urban and Community Forestry, as well as the National Association of State Foresters, the group recruits cities that meet four standards.

Standard 1

A prospective city must establish an authority to preside over and care for the city’s trees. By delegating tree care decisions to a professional forester, arborist, city department, citizen-led tree board or some combination, city leaders work together to determine who will perform necessary tree work.

Standard 2

That board sets boundaries by providing clear guidance for planting, maintaining and removing trees from streets, parks and other public spaces as well as activities that are required or prohibited. This ordinance outlines the city’s tree care program which assigns the task of crafting and implementing a plan of work or for documenting annual tree care activities.

Standard 3

A monetary investment in the long-term health of the tree canopy is essential. The city’s community forestry program must document at least $2 per capita toward the planting, care, and removal of city trees—and the planning efforts to make those things happen.

Standard 4

An effective program for community trees would not be complete without an annual Arbor Day celebration. By passing and reciting an official Arbor Day proclamation, public officials demonstrate their support for the community tree program and complete the requirements for becoming a Tree City, USA.

Local area Tree Cities College Place, Walla Walla, Richland, Pullman, and Spokane are just a handful of Washington State’s 93 cities and over 3,400 throughout America.

The benefits of Arbor Day go far beyond the shade and beauty of new trees for the next generation. Arbor Day is a golden opportunity for publicity and to educate homeowners about proper tree care. Utility companies can join in to promote planting small trees beneath power lines or being careful when digging. Fire prevention messaging can also be worked into the event, as can conservation education about soil erosion or the need to protect wildlife habitat.