Friday, April 26th is Arbor Day, a special day set aside to encourage the planting and proper care of trees. It has been 147 years since J. Sterling Morton founded Arbor Day. His simple idea of setting aside a special day for tree planting is now more important than ever. The 1st official Arbor Day was created by Morton and celebrated in Nebraska in 1872. In the years following that first Arbor Day, Morton’s idea spread beyond Nebraska and today all 50 states celebrate Arbor Day.
So what do trees have to do with saving water? Let’s take a look:
1. A well-placed tree can reduce energy use in your home up to 40 percent. Did you know that the electrical power industry is one of the greatest consumers of water for cooling and other processes? This means that saving energy ultimately saves water. Find some great design and tree placement tips in the Water – Use It Wisely design section.
2. In central Arizona, it has been found that up to 70 percent of water use is outdoors, so watering your yard efficiently is one of the best and easiest ways to save water. However, there are so many trees available that are beautiful, functional and low-water using. Check out the plant selection guide on our site of low-water-use trees, shrubs and more we make available on our site. You can also search for trees, shrubs, ground covers, succulents, and more in this free online plant guide, Landscape Plants for the Arizona Desert from our water partner, AMWUA.
3. Plants don’t save water, people do! Okay, so trees can’t provide every benefit. We know they help clean pollutants from the air, replace CO2 with oxygen, reduce water pollution and provide great habitat for wildlife. However, to really save water, they have to be watered properly by you. Water – Use It Wisely has a simple guide to help keep your plants healthy and beautiful while saving thousands of gallons of water a year in your landscape. Just check out our Landscape Watering by the Numbers: A Guide for the Arizona Desert.
If you’re ready to celebrate Arbor Day by planting a tree, we’ve got one more helpful resource. Our Planting Trees and Shrubs guidelines will teach you the latest University of Arizona planting recommendations for best success.
Here is some more Arbor Day inspiration from Arizona Nursery Association. Happy Planting!
If you are looking for more information about choosing, planting, and caring for your trees, be sure to check out these other articles:
- Plant of the Month: In Celebration of Trees for Arbor Day
- Tired of Skimming and Cleaning? 10 Pool-friendy Shade Trees
- Small Space? Try Using Small, Desert-Adapted Trees
- Plant of the Month: Flowering Trees
- 10 Pruning Tips for Healthier, Prettier Desert Trees
- At Stake: Securing Your Tree’s Future