A Tree is Nice

“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” - Chinese proverb

Days before my oldest daughter was born, we planted a sugar maple to celebrate her upcoming birth. This tree affectionately become known as the “Molly tree”, and it now stands over 30 feet tall in our front yard.

According to the Arbor Day Foundation, trees offer many important benefits.

·       Trees help clean our air by removing pollution from the atmosphere.

·       Trees provide people with oxygen that we need to breath.

·       Trees save energy.

·       Trees provide homes to wildlife.

Kids love holidays so here’s a few ideas on how to celebrate Arbor Day with your family.

• Bring the kids along to a garden center and pick out a new tree for your yard together. Give it a name and take a photo each year to watch it (and the kids) grow. You could also donate a tree to a school, local park, or faith community.

• Give forest bathing a try. There is no actual water involved, but rather one takes a mindful stroll through the forest while noting the sounds, smells, sights along the way. This Japanese tradition is called shinrin-yoku.

• Read A Tree is Nice by Udry. This children’s book has beautiful watercolor pictures and is a winner of the prestigious Caldecott Medal.

• Join the Arbor Day foundation. For only $10, the organization will send you 10 free seedlings – what a deal! arborday.org