Today’s blog focuses on celebration rather than cultivation. We have double reasons to rejoice this week despite our continued self-isolation, Today is the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. Friday, April 24, will be Arbor Day for most of the country. South Carolina celebrates Arbor Day the first Friday of December. In the southeast, fall planting is preferred to spring planting for many tree species.
Earth Day celebrates environmental protection. The five components include science (measuring air and water quality), advocacy through civic engagements, volunteering (especially clean ups), education and community events. Despite COVID-19 restrictions against group gatherings, we can play our individual roles to protect the planet on which we live. Recycle where possible, compost what is appropriate, and reduce use of toxins, including insecticides and weed killers. When toxin use is appropriate, always follow the label exactly. Adding “just a little more” is unnecessary, unhealthy and illegal.
Arbor Day is set aside to plant new trees and to celebrate the ones already in place. The idea originated in Nebraska in the 1880’s and became an official holiday in 1972. Trees are necessary to maintain our way of life. They clean our air and water, create a calming atmosphere for our emotions and satisfy our need for beauty.
This year’s restrictions mean no neighborhood block parties or school groups gathered around a seedling, dropping handfuls of soil into a hole. Instead, we can read books about trees, summon our inner artist to draw or paint one, photograph our favorites, or simply take an appropriately socially-distanced walk to enjoy them. Even if you can only enjoy the view from a window, take a moment to appreciate all trees do for us: shade on a hot day, protection from winds, food for insects and animals, homes for birds, clean air, reduce harmful greenhouse gas, improve our views, increase our property values and even reduce our stress levels.
If self-isolation has you stressed, go outside and hug a tree.
Dawn Redwood (Metasequoia) is a favorite in the Mary Snoddy garden. I received it as a seedling at a plant swap in 2005, when it was the size of a pencil. It has grown quickly with no attention. In fall, the needles turn pumpkin-orange before they shed. The bark has a shaggy appearance.
The emerging feather-like foliage of Pond Cypress. Like its neighbor, the Dawn Redwood, this is a deciduous conifer. The limbs are spaced so perfectly that the structure is beautiful even when it is bare. Of all trees in the Snoddy garden, this one is the cats’ favorite. The Cypress family does very well in clay soil.