April 30th, 2021, is one of the most important green holidays, Arbor Day. Held on the last Friday of April every year in most states (we’ll get to that soon), Arbor Day has been an important occasion since 1872, but it didn’t become a national holiday until 1970. So, we know that Arbor Day is a day that honors trees, but how so? The day is intended to bring awareness to the planting, upkeep, and appreciation of the world’s most majestic and abundant plants.

Bluff Park in Long Beach

Arbor Day is also intended to remind us of the role trees play in our environment. Some benefits of trees to the environment are that they:

• Trees act as physical filters. They trap dust and other pollutants in the air.
• They provide shade.
• Being around trees is a proven way to reduce stress.
• Trees absorb carbon monoxide and reduce its impact on the environment.
• They protect wildlife and host many habitats.

There are so many other ways in which trees are beneficial, but these are just a few of the major ones!

Even though Arbor Day centers around trees, it is also a time where we focus on creating a more eco-friendly and sustainable environment.

The state of California is unique, in that it celebrates Arbor Day on March 7th. March 7th marks the birthdate of horticulturist Luther Burbank (who the city of Burbank is named after). However, you can still celebrate national Arbor Day along with the rest of the country!

California is home to some of the most amazing trees in the world and has some of the largest varieties. Long Beach on its own, is home to over 92,000 street trees. According to an article in the Long Beach Press-Telegram, the city is described as an “arboreal wonderland” with the presence of species such as Jacarandas, Magnolias, Queen Palms and Mexican Palms, American Sweetgums, and Chinese Elms, among others. These are just of few of 300 species that can be found in Long Beach.

Jacarandas in Long Beach

While Long Beach is a haven for trees, it’s also a port city that endures a large amount of pollution each year. So, it’s crucial to protect the plants and wildlife that exist within the city.

How can you celebrate Arbor Day? There are several ways! First, you can plant a tree in your own backyard, or in another special local area. Or, take it a step further and volunteer with a local tree-planting organization. Next, you can do something simple, just enjoy the outdoors! Get some fresh air and appreciate nature (which is something great to do year-round). Other ways to contribute are to recycle and spend time cleaning up your community, as well as your own backyard. If you need assistance in cleaning your own environment, Earthwise Hauling is a great place to start.

Lastly, another great way to observe Arbor Day is to visit your local arboretum. According to Miriam-Webster, an arboretum is a “place where trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants are cultivated for scientific and educational purposes.” Arboretums are a great way to learn firsthand about the various tree species, about gardening, and about plant selection for your own home.

So, think of an arboretum as a tree museum. The Long Beach and Southern California area has plenty of arboretums to visit! It also has a ton of natural landmarks to visit such as the El Dorado Nature Center, ShoreLine Aquatic Park, and the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden, among so many others.

El Dorado Nature Center in Long Beach

In Long Beach and surrounding areas, there are plenty of ways to appreciate your own local greenery. One of the most beautiful areas in the United States, Southern California offers a multitude of parks, beaches, gardens, and arboretums. We’re glad to be a part of this amazing area!

Some ways that Earthwise Hauling is helping to celebrate Arbor Day, as well as protect the Long Beach area year-round are:

• Acting as a current sponsor of the Rivers & Lands Conservancy, caretakers of Southern California’s natural, wild, and open spaces.
• We have diverted over 10 million pounds of waste from local landfills.
• We use paperless systems for our schedules and invoicing.
• We offer a service where we remove pressure-treated wood, which is a danger to the environment.

For more information on Arbor Day and what you can do to celebrate it, you can visit the official website at celebratearborday.com. And don’t forget to appreciate and protect our trees by keeping your local area clean!