Two years after the first Earth Day, in 1972, the Arbor Day Foundation was inaugurated. After 50 years, it is growing. This non-profit connects the world’s largest network of tree-planting organizations, people and partners. In 2026, this network planted about 6.5 Million trees, and their goal for 2027 is 10.5 Million trees. We human beings can’t cool the earth, remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, add oxygen to our air or make dry streams flow, but trees can. And we humans can plant and care for trees.
All plants, algae, some plankton and cyanobacteria can harness the solar power of photosynthesis. They can take carbon dioxide from our air, and with water, minerals and sunlight, they can synthesize food. To get energy for survival, all of us beings either eat plants or eat creatures that eat plants. And cultivating plants has been one of the main ways human beings have added value to our lives for thousands of years. Even
coal and petroleum are the result of plants under heat and pressure. Growing a tree is a direct method of capturing solar power and distributing it in our neighborhood. All plants photosynthesize, but trees have this 3D architecture with thousands of energy-capturing leaves. This massive solar collector feeds itself and a big network of soil microorganisms while cleaning our air and water, producing lots of oxygen, cooling the environment, reducing erosion and making a more livable environment for all of us beings.
We take trees for granted because they don’t talk and move around, but they are our allies and our neighbors. The Arbor Day Foundation has, for more than 50 years, represented and supported the value of trees. They use GIS mapping, environmental, socio-economic and location data and local guidance to identify the areas of greatest need of trees, and they plant them. The earth needs more trees; we need more trees. Our human habit of burning matter for energy creates heat and carbon dioxide which is starting to make our planet unlivable. Trees eat carbon dioxide and sequester carbon in their branches and in their soil life. They are a natural solution, but they can’t multiply fast enough by themselves.
Mikl joined the Arbor Day Foundation in the late 70s and he spent 20 years, 5 days a week up in the trees, caring for them. And he will tell you that trees are great. Please plant and care for trees and support the Arbor Day Foundation: www.arborday.org.
And Speaking of Trees….We still have plenty in stock, some of them wonderful native trees like ‘Gila Monster’ oaks, Bigtooth Maples, Rocky Mountain Maples and Gambel Oaks!