CHARLOTTESVILLE—The rewards for planting a single tree can ripple throughout a community—enhancing ecosystems, economies and quality of life well into the future.

Each year, communities across the globe gather to plant trees and celebrate their far-reaching impact in honor of Arbor Day. Established in Nebraska in the 1870s, the annual holiday is observed throughout the U.S. and in over 30 countries today, according to the Arbor Day Foundation.

While Virginia recognizes Arbor Day annually on the last Friday in April, many celebrations in the commonwealth are held in the fall to take advantage of the warm soil temperatures and impending dormancy season, according to the Virginia Department of Forestry.

“Celebrating Arbor Day honors trees in our communities, promotes the planting of trees, and highlights the vital role they play in our environment,” noted Lara Johnson, Virginia DOF urban and community forestry program manager.

“Trees are vitally important to the quality of life within a community,” emphasized Molly O’Liddy, Virginia DOF urban and community forestry partnership coordinator. “They provide a host of environmental, social and economic benefits.”

For example, a tree’s canopy slows down runoff in a rainstorm while its roots stabilize the soil and filter rainwater before it enters waterways. Additionally, planting trees in strategic places can reduce heating and cooling bills, and studies have shown that greenspaces improve mental health and reduce stress.

There are 62 Virginia communities that are nationally recognized as Tree City USA communities by the Arbor Day Foundation. Founded in 1976, the program is designed to “raise awareness of the value of community trees, set foundational standards for communities of all sizes, and celebrate community improvement,” Johnson explained.

While every Arbor Day ceremony involves planting at least one tree, each Tree City USA community celebrates the holiday in unique ways—like hosting native tree giveaways, incorporating youth learning activities about trees, or holding formal ceremonies that recognize individuals or community groups focused on trees.

Along with uniting community members for a common mission, Arbor Day tree plantings offer a unique opportunity to witness the simple act’s “tangible impact, year after year,” O’Liddy noted.

“The act of planting a tree gives a person a first-hand connection to that greenspace within their community,” Johnson added.

Virginians can honor Arbor Day in myriad ways—like taking a walk among the trees and breathing in the oxygen they produce, attending a community Arbor Day celebration, planting a tree in the community, or volunteering with a nature-focused community group.

What to know

Those interested in planting a tree should keep the following tips in mind:

• Plant the right tree in the right place. Consider soil type, growing space, availability of sunlight, and potential conflicts with the tree’s mature height, such as power lines.
•  Focus on species diversity.
• Do not plant an invasive species. Visit the Virginia DOF website for more information.
• Early care is essential for establishment. Provide a 2-4-inch-thick layer of mulch around the tree, and consistently water the tree throughout dry months.

For more information, visit arborday.org/celebrate/ways-to-celebrate or dof.virginia.gov/urban-community-forestry/learn-about-urban-community-forestry.

Media: Contact Cory Swift-Turner, Virginia Department of Forestry communications specialist, at 434-365-8231.