FOR RELEASE: January 12, 2003

Daniel F. Culbert, County Extension Director

CELEBRATE TREES ON ARBOR DAY

            One of the rites of passage into a new year is to move important dates into a brand new calendar.  In case you didn't mark your calendar,  next Friday is Florida's Arbor Day, January 17, 2003.  While the last Friday in April is designated as National Arbor Day,  Florida foresters and other tree experts take advantage of the cooler time of the year. The mild days of January allow young trees to become established by the time hot spring weather arrives.  Today’s column will give readers a few excuses to plant trees and outline local events being planned to encourage more tree planting.  It comes from interviews with our two city tree committees and the National Arbor Day Foundation.

WHY PLANT MORE TREES?

            If you have the space in your landscape for a tree, now is a good time of year to add it to the landscape. Otherwise, consider adding new shrubs, vines or ground covers on Arbor Day to complete your landscape plan.  USDA Forester Glenn Roloff came up with 29 reasons for planting trees; here are a few that make sense for our area:

·                    Trees prevents or reduces soil erosion and water pollution.

·                    Trees help recharge ground water.

·                    Trees can screen out noise pollution and unsightly views.

·                    Trees will soften harsh outlines of buildings.

·                    Fuel wood lumber, plywood and other wood products come from trees.

·                    Shade from trees can reduce utility bills for air conditioning by 15-50 percent.

·                    Shade trees cool hot streets, which can be 5-9 degrees hotter than areas without trees.

·                    Trees and shrubs can significantly increase property values.

·                    Trees provide habitat for wildlife.

·                    Colorful fall leaves turn into valuable mulch

·                    Trees help reduce stress in the workplace and speed recovery of hospital patients.

·                    Trees and landscaping can instill community pride and help cool tempers.

·                    Trees add beauty and grace to any community; they make life more enjoyable, peaceful, relaxing, and offer a rich inheritance for future generations.

·                    Many people enjoy planting and caring for trees simply because they like to see them grow.

·                    Trees can commemorate or honor loved ones, both departed and newly arrived, and continue to do so for future generations.

            The Vero Beach Tree Commission must have been looking at this last reason when they established their Dedicatory Tree Program.  They have planted a number of specimen trees in public places, and are offering them as memorials or honorariums to those that like the idea of planting trees, but who don’t have the room or mobility to do so.  Contact the Vero Beach City Hall for an application.

LOCAL ARBOR DAY CELEBRATIONS

            The City of Vero Beach chooses to observe the Florida Date for Arbor Day, the third Friday in January.  City Tree Commissioners Karl Zimmerman and Phil Russo have scheduled the City’s Arbor Day planting at Van Busch Park at 11 AM next Friday, January 17th.  Van Busch Park is a small passive park on the barrier island, off Bethel Creek Drive near Cache Cay.  A Live Oak will be planted.

            The Sebastian Tree & Landscape Advisory Board prefers to attract larger crowds by scheduling their Arbor Day closer to the National Arbor Day.  According to Tree Commissioner Cathy Fulton, they will add to the Sebastian tree canopy on Saturday April 19^th at a yet to be determined location.  They have announced a theme of “the Trees of Sebastian” and recently purchased tree scale sticks to help them begin to measure the size of their specimen trees. 

            In addition to a tree planting on their Arbor Day, Sebastian will announce the winners of a youth photography contest, being held for K-5th grade students at Pelican Island Elementary School.  Students will be asked to take color photos that relate to a theme of “Arbor Day through the eyes of a child.”  Details on this contest will soon be available from the Sebastian City Clerk’s office.

2003 NATIONAL POSTER CONTEST

            Over 65,000 fifth grade classrooms are expected to be part of the 2003 Arbor Day National Poster Contest.  This year’s theme, "Trees are Terrific . . .from acorn to oak!”, is designed to increase knowledge about the importance and diversity of the oak.  The posters will become part of the efforts to have the oak declared our national tree by Congress.   The winner of the 2003 national poster contest will be announced on National Arbor Day, April 25, 2003.

            Students from 45 states including Florida are eligible to participate in state-level competition, according to our state contest program coordinator Patrick Clendenning. He works for the City of Cocoa, and posters must be received in his office (603 Brevard Avenue, Cocoa Cocoa, FL 32922 )  by Friday March 7, 2003.   Since the contest rules are very specific, teachers or parents should request a free copy of the Contest Activity Guide from the National Arbor Day Foundation (PO Box 85784, Lincoln NE 68501-5784 or education@arborday.org) or from the Florida State Coordinator pclendenning@cocoa.fl.org.  Our office will have a few copies available, as will the City of Vero Beach’s City planner. 

            Each state poster contest winner advances to the national finals. The top three national finalists will be selected from the state-level winners.  The first place national winner, parents and teacher, will receive an expense-paid trip; the artist earns a  $1,000 savings bond and the winning student’s teacher will also receive an award. The second and third place winners and their teachers will receive awards as well.

            If you need additional information on Arbor Day or how to select plant and care for young trees,  consult our website at http://indian.ifas.ufl.edu  or call or stop by our office.  For other questions about Florida Yards, our office holds Master Gardener Clinic hours at the Extension office (1028 20th Place, Suite D, Vero Beach) during office hours, Wednesday morning at the North County Library in Sebastian, and the second and fourth Saturday of the month at the Environmental Learning Center.   Our phone number is 770-5030, and you can email us at indian@ifas.ufl.edu.

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