CANOPY BLOG

Celebrate Trees During California Arbor Week!

By Canopy Team on March 4, 2021

Since 2011, California has dedicated March 7-14 as a statewide celebration of one of our most important shared resources: trees!

We’re getting into the spirit of California Arbor Week and have a full week of activities planned to celebrate the natural wonder of our arboreal friends and highlight the work Canopy does in our community.

Check out these ways you can join us in our Arbor Week celebration!

1. Plant your own tree

“Why is California Arbor Week in March?” you ask, “Isn’t national Arbor Day in late April?”

Yes, it is! But in California’s warm Mediterranean climate, prime tree-planting time is in early spring, when rain is more likely and the weather is still cool. Newly planted trees need plenty of water and may have trouble getting established later in the season, when the hot, dry summer sets in. So Californians celebrate trees together while there’s still time to plant!

Ready to grab a shovel and plant your own tree? Check out these resources:

• Canopy Tree Library – find the right tree for your site
• How to Plant a Tree with Canopy’s proven method
• How to care for your young tree

2. Take a tree walk

Tree walks are a wonderful opportunity to spend time outdoors and enjoy the life-giving benefits of trees. Take advantage of Canopy’s tree walk resources to explore the trees in your neighborhood!

• Grab your phone and follow one of our new Interactive Tree Walk Guides: Palo Verde neighborhood (Palo Alto) or Pioneer Park (Mountain View)
• Try one of our more than 20 self-guided tree walks
• Use a tool like Urban Tree Key or What Tree is that? and try to identify trees you don’t recognize

Or send us a photo! We love a good Tree ID challenge.

3. Follow us on social media

Although our tree planting events are limited to small groups of volunteers due to our Covid-19 Protocols, we’ll be sharing behind-the-scenes looks at several plantings throughout the week on Facebook and Instagram. It will feel like you’re there planting with us!

4. Reduce stress with nature

• Unwind and find peace with this simple tree breathing exercise
• Meditate with Sounds of the Forest from around the world
• Explore one of 26 open space preserves in the Midpeninsula region

5. Read a tree book

• Check out this ultimate list of best books about trees and nature by global reforestation nonprofit One Tree Planted
• Borrow Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer from your local library, one of our favorites highlighting indigenous wisdom, scientific knowledge, and the teachings of plants
• Send us your tree read recommendations!

6. Get creative with trees

• Go on a nature walk and collect tree pieces for a twig fairy or other mini tree sculpture
• Photograph your favorite trees with these 10 tips for taking incredible tree photos
• We love these fun and simple paper bag trees
• Light up your home with a mason jar luminary
• Create a button tree with a young sewing enthusiast

However you choose to celebrate, we hope you have a tree-tastic week!