Dear Editor,                                                                                                     Feb. 27, 2006

This Tuesday, March 7th, is Arbor Day. Here in California we celebrate it on Luther Burbank’s birthday. It is my favorite holiday because we can do something good for our communities and the environment. It is also a holiday that reaffirms our hopes for the future. Some years ago a friend gave me a shirt that said, “If you want to be happy for a season, plant a garden, if you want to be happy for a lifetime, plant a tree.” I hope that many people will follow this advice. Our cities, schools and roadways could be much more pleasant by adding more trees. We used to call this beautification, however, we have neglected this term of late.

Trees can provide needed shade, which could reduce our air conditioning bills. They can also help lessen air pollution by slowing blowing particulate matter and absorbing carbon dioxide. Some people say that there isn’t enough money to plant more trees to our neighborhoods, but, in fact, tree planting doesn’t cost that much. The real expense comes in tree care, watering, and maintenance. These things need to be considered. Please be careful when you plant a tree. Make sure you do it in an appropriate place. If you don’t have room on your property, perhaps you can contact a local park or the forest service. Our schools and roadways desperately need more trees. There are many organizations willing to provide information and help. You can contact the National Arbor Day Foundation, American Forests, Tree People, local nurseries and Urbantree.org just to name a few.  

Again, please take the time to plant a tree this weekend. If you are unable to do so, take some time to reflect and be grateful for all the gifts trees provide. Shade, beauty, oxygen, clean air, fruit, wood, paper, shelter and homes for birds and wildlife are but a few. So go out and enjoy this Arbor Day!

John R. Miller

This editorial was printed in the Tulare Advance Register.