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Presents

Presents

Proud partner inCommunity Education

C8 - Missoulian, Monday, April 22, 2013

Norway maple

60-70 feet (18-21m)Native to Europe

Sweet gum150 feet (46m)

Native to eastern United States

Pitch pine80 feet (25m)

Native to eastern United

States

Sweet chestnut100 feet (30m)

Native to Europe and North Africa

Black locust80 feet (24m)

Native to eastern and midwestern United States

Arbor Day

LEARN ABOUT THE KENTUCKY DERBY IN THE NEXT INSTALLMENT OF WORLD OF WONDER© 2013 Triefeldt Studios, Inc.Distributed by Universal Uclick for UFS

At a bookstore near you: Two full-color World of Wonder compilations: “Plants & Animals” and “People & Places.”

By Helen Driggs

Tulip tree70-100 feet (21-30m)Native to eastern North

America

Quaking aspen100 feet (30m)Native to North

America

Sweet buckeye50-90 feet (15-27m)

Native to south-eastern United

States

American holly

40-50 feet (12-15m)Native to eastern

United States

Eastern hemlock

100 feet (30m)Native to north-eastern United

States and Canada

Pin oak80 feet (25m)

Native to northeastern United States

Weeping willow

35-50 feet (11-15m)Native to

China

Sitka spruce262 feet (80m)

Native to north-western North

America

Celebrate the benefits of trees by planting one – or more

Japanese arborvitae

65 feet (20m)

Native to central Japan

Trees are not just beautiful to look at but also provide many benefits. Through the process of photosynthesis, trees absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen — act-ing as natural air filters. Trees improve biodiversity and provide habitat for wildlife. The roots of trees help prevent soil erosion. Trees can help prevent drought — they slow water runoff after heavy rainfalls and help to recharge underground aquifers. The shade of trees may help keep you and your home cooler. And in winter, trees can block the wind, helping to keep you warmer. Trees are also good for you. (Hospital patients recover more quickly when they have a view of trees.)The Latin word “arbor” means tree, and Arbor Day was created to encourage in-dividuals and groups to plant trees. Arbor Day began in Nebraska City, Neb., on April 10, 1872, with an estimated 1 million trees planted on that day. J. Sterling Morton cre-ated the first Arbor Day, and today, many countries observe a similar holiday accord-ing to the best time to plant trees in that country. In the U.S., the national holiday is celebrated on the last Friday in April.The Arbor Day Foundation, the world’s oldest tree-planting organization, began in 1972. Its mission is “to inspire people to plant, nurture and celebrate trees.” The foundation is supported by donations, by selling trees and merchandise, and by corporate sponsors. It encourages com-munities across the U.S. to become “Tree Cities.”Communities that want to become “Tree Cities” must meet the following guide-lines:• Establish a tree department or board.• Enact an official ordinance for

tree care.• Have a tree program with an

annual budget of at least $2 per capita.

• Embrace Arbor Day observances and proclamations.

Douglas fir200-300 feet

(61-91m)Native to

western North AmericaWorld Book Encyclopedia, World Book Inc.;

www.arborday.org