Celebrate Arbor Day with a Walk Around the Block

Trees are an important part of the environment. They clean the air, reduce storm water run-off, cool our homes and shelter us from the wind and sun.  Take time today to celebrate the trees in your neighborhood.

The last Friday in April is National Arbor Day, but every day is a great day to honor trees.

Take a walk through your backyard or neighborhood.  Bring along a field guide to help you identify the trees.  No field guide? Don’t worry.  Take pictures, draw sketches or make a list of key features. Look closely at the needles or leaves. List the shape and arrangement of these. Note the color of the bark and overall shape of the tree.

Then visit the Arbor Day Foundation website section on  “What Tree is That?” when you return home. This will take you through a list of questions and help you identify some of the trees in your community. It’ always good to know your neighbors.

A bit more information: Make bark rubbings of your favorite trees.  All you need is paper and a few crayons. Place paper on the trunk of the tree and rub with a crayon.  You’ll enjoy the unique bark rubbings that the different trees produce.

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trees

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