As Arbor Day approaches this Friday I am reminded of one of my favorite gifts from my Dad. One Christmas several years ago he gave each of us a gift card to Lowes. Even the grandkids were given a gift card even though some of them were still in high school.
Dad told us to use the card to buy and plant a tree.
I know, the Okies that read this are saying “see I told you all those people from California are tree huggers!”
Maybe we are because unlike those of you that grew up here in Grove, America, surrounded by trees and woods, nature, wildlife, etc., most of us that grew up in California watched trees chopped down and cities grow. We watched hills with giant oaks bull-dozed and graded and new homes put in their place.
Although I didn’t experience the Redwoods disappearing I’ve heard the stories and read the history of how giant Redwood Trees grew from Los Angeles to Northern California. Fortunately, many state and national parks have saved the Redwoods and other trees allowing them to continue to flourish and grow. They are amazing and yes, I have hugged them!
Dad has tried for years to get a Redwood Tree to survive here but they won’t. The weather is too harsh and they need the ocean breeze and the mist it carries.
In honor of Arbor Day 2018, I would like to share with you some of the reasons trees are so important to us. They provide oxygen, shade, shelter. They give us food. They block skin-damaging rays. Trees provide beauty and history.
Trees give us landmarks and directions (turn at the first big Oak tree).
Trees protect humans and wildlife. Trees sustain us.
Share Arbor Day with others. Plant a tree, give a tree as a gift. Hug a tree or silently, secretly admire a tree. Whatever you do on Friday, acknowledge the trees. We can’t survive without them.
Happy Arbor Day!
Peggy
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