Arbor Day Celebration 

In its annual observance and celebration of California Arbor Day, March 7th, Southern California Garden Club is planting a flowering cherry tree at Osceola Street Elementary School.
 

Arbor Day was first celebrated in Nebraska in 1872 in response to a state proclamation urging settlers to plant trees to provide shade, shelter, fruit, fuel, and beauty.  National Arbor Day is the last Friday in April (April 26 this year), but California Arbor Week is celebrated March 7-14 in commemoration of the March 7 birthday of Luther Burbank, the accomplished horticulturist who was a long-time resident of California.

Southern California Garden Club, California Garden Clubs, Inc., and National Garden Clubs, Inc. encourage the planting of trees (but plant the right tree in the right place!) which can reduce erosion, cut heating and cooling costs, clean the air, produce oxygen, provide wildlife habitat, beautify our communities, and provide a source of joy and spiritual renewal.  Planting trees is one of the best things we can do to live a “greener” lifestyle.  Trees absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen.  They shade buildings in summer, lowering air conditioning costs.  When we water wisely and maintain our trees carefully, we enjoy a wide range of benefits at a low cost and with little effort.