“What is Arbor Day all about?” I ask this question of the visitors during my tours at the Tree Adventure and Arbor Day Farm. As you may expect, I get a variety of answers:  anywhere from planting trees to Johnny Appleseed to saving the planet. I tell them that they all are close, and explain the need to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees. 

Throughout my summer as a Nature Interpreter Intern I have learned a lot, starting with the Arbor Day Foundation’s mission and now ending with heirloom varieties of apples. My time this summer, however, has taught me that Arbor Day is about more than just trees.

By working with groups of children from inner-city neighborhoods, I’ve had the opportunity to interact with those who rarely venture beyond their front door. I grew up with a tremendous exposure to nature and the outdoors, but many students, especially from urban areas, did not. They spend their days inside with the many screens (TVs, computers, videogames, etc.) keeping them occupied. This is often because it is safer inside than out, and because they don’t know what to do outside. When they get off the bus at Arbor Day Farm and learn they are going to be outside all day, they quite literally are on “sensory overload.” This can even entail screams, tears, and clinging to the interpreter. To these children, being outside for more time than it takes to walk from the house to the car is terrifying, and this is not an irrational fear on their part. They have never had the opportunity to spend significant amounts of time outside, and we fear what we don’t know. 

Thanks to the Arbor Day Foundation and the Arbor Day Farm Tree Adventure, I had the privilege of leading children through significant time in nature. We had lots of “first” experiences: seeing deer for the first time, being “actually in the woods” (as they would say), and learning that yes, woodchips really do come from trees. Most of the children left wishing they had more time in this natural setting.  The children I worked with this summer left with some knowledge of the world around them, and an introduction to the lessons nature has to teach. (My favorite lesson? Nature does not discriminate:  a mosquito will suck anyone’s blood.) Without J. Sterling Morton and his yearning to plant trees, these children would have spent another day inside.

So what is Arbor Day all about? To me, Arbor Day is about a lot more than trees. It is about appreciating the nature that surrounds us. Through the time I spent with children this summer at Arbor Day Farm, this lesson became apparent, it also became apparent that they would never look at nature the same way again. These little steps, child’s play, are helping to move cultures back to nature, and for that I am eternally grateful.

Hanna Pinneo is a Nature Interpreter intern at Arbor Day Farm Tree Adventure, majoring in Parks and Recreation at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She enjoys hiking, playing outside with her nephew and dog, and spending time with her friends. As a National Team member of the Natural Leaders Network, Hanna is dedicated to reconnecting all children with nature.

And there are countless ways to do our part, from big investments in our home or landscaping, to small changes in our everyday habits. Thousands of people all around the world will participate in trash pick-ups, they’ll commit to reusable bags and water bottles, the’ll take public transportation or get in on a carpool, or maybe plant some trees in their yard or community.

As a certified arborist with the Arbor Day Foundation, I must admit that planting trees is hands-down my favorite way to give back to the planet.

If you’re planting trees this Earth Day or Arbor Day, here are a few tips to keep in mind:

The Right Tree in the Right Place
While the act of planting a tree may only involve an hour or two, the care and management of that tree will last your entire lifetime. It’s worth the time to carefully consider where you will be planting trees. A few extra minutes spent making sure the trees you plant are appropriate for the site and soil conditions will ensure strong, healthy trees for years to come. The Arbor Day Foundation has great tips for planting trees in the right place on their website.

But after the tree is in the ground, the hole is filled with dirt and the shovel is back in the toolshed, what happens then? How can you make sure that the trees you’ve planted enjoy a long, healthy life?

Deep Watering and Mulch
During the first couple of growing seasons your newly-planted tree is expending a lot of energy trying to get its roots established in the soil. Especially during the first few summers of the tree’s life, it will have a difficult time dealing with heat and drought. You can alleviate stress on the tree by providing adequate water and covering the soil with wood chip mulch. Deep watering can help speed the root establishment. Deep watering consists of keeping the soil moist to a depth that includes all the roots and can help speed the root establishment. Then in a few years, good, strong roots will have formed and your tree can withstand droughts on its own because it has a proper root structure.

But Don’t Over-Water
Deep watering is a good thing, but taking it too far and over-watering a newly-planted tree is a common mistake. Moist is different than soggy, and you can judge this by feel. A damp soil that dries for a short period will allow adequate oxygen to permeate the soil.

Ask Your Local Expert
Most people have no formal training when it comes to taking care of their trees. Fortunately, there is plenty of information available and local tree experts ready to help. Local arborists will know your region best and can offer helpful guidance, information, and websites to get your trees off to a healthy start.

On Earth Day, Arbor Day, or any day —- thank you for doing your part for the planet.

Robert Smith is a certified arborist with the Arbor Day Foundation in Lincoln, Nebraska. His great passion for planting and caring for trees on the local, national and international level fuels his service on numerous community tree planting organizations. Robert’s favorite trees are bur oak, dwarf chinkapin oak, and white pine. Ask Robert a tree question