PHOENIX — Arbor Day occurs on April 26 this year. It's a unique, national and global holiday all about planting trees. While most holidays celebrate the past, Arbor Day focuses on planting trees today and for generations to come.
Trees are a good thing. They help clean our air and water, while also helping to prevent flooding and slow stormwater runoff. Trees create habitats for critters and creatures all around the desert.
Arbor Day Foundation CEO Dan Lambe explained there's never been a more important time for trees than right now. The need for trees can be felt by excessive heat, flooding, and drought.
Even though we're in the desert southwest, there are so many options for planting trees. Lambe points out that planting in the desert is all about the right plant in the right place at the right time.
Several drought-tolerant tree options don't require a lot of water. Native, drought-tolerant trees are excellent to plant in public and residential spaces.
You can find which trees to plant where you live here: https://dffm.az.gov/forestry-community-forestry/urban-community-forestry/tree-care
Just because we're in the desert southwest, doesn't mean we can't have trees.
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