NATIONAL LOVE A TREE DAY | MAY 16
On May 16th each year, National Love a Tree Day celebrates the joys of life provided by trees. Reading in the shade or taking a bite out of a fresh fruit pie are but two examples. Of course, planting trees for future generations to love is beneficial too.
#LoveATreeDay
Most species of trees tend to be long-lived. Some trees live to be several thousand years old. According to the U.S. Forest Service, about 766 million acres of forest land exists in the United States. This number has held steady since 2012. Between 1630 and 1910, there was a steady decline from 1,023 million acres to 754 million acres. That’s a decline from 46 percent to 34 percent of the total land area of the United States.
How trees are utilized and managed has changed in the last 400 years. Where people live and how we farm has also changed. While some urban forests increase, other areas see a decline. Tree planting programs improve landscapes but human activities and population growth continue to impact ecosystems.
The tallest known tree is 379 ft. tall.
Trees provide more than just beautiful landscapes and a shady canopy on a sunny day. They play a significant role in reducing erosion and moderating the climate as well as give us oxygen. Large quantities of carbon are stored in their tissues as trees remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. They provide habitat and structure for strong ecosystems.
HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL LOVE A TREE DAY
Trees are a vital part of nature. This is a good day to plant a new tree or spend some time enjoying the beauty of the trees that are all around you. Take time to learn how to care for the trees you have, too. Share photos of your favorite tree or videos of you planting a tree. Use #LoveATreeDay to post on social media.
NATIONAL LOVE A TREE DAY HISTORY
National Day Calendar continues researching the origins of this tree-loving day.
