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Restoring both the environment and a solid symbol of Massachusetts
By Senator Richard T. Moore It may seem strange as the final leaves fall from our trees and the cold weather days become more frequent, to express thoughts about spring and restoring an important symbol of thee state’s heritage. At this time of year, the only trees most of us might think about would be a Christmas tree. There are a number of holiday gifts for those interested in the environment on the Arbor Day Foundation website. As we witness the horrific forest fires that destroy our national parks and forests or the trees lost to Hurricane Katrina, we could think about gifts that help to pay for new planting to restore these parks and neighborhoods. However, it’s not too early to begin thinking about Arbor Day which, next year, will fall on April 25, 2008. Founded by J. Sterling Morton in Nebraska in 1872, National Arbor Day is celebrated each year on the last Friday in April, and is a nationally celebrated observance that encourages tree planting and care. (More can be learned about Arbor Day, holiday, or memorial tree gifts at www.arborday.org) Teachers, parents, or fifth grade students might be interested in participating in the Arbor Day poster contest. Over 75,000 fifth grade classrooms and home schools across America participated in the 2007 Arbor Day National Poster Contest sponsored by Toyota. In 2008, the FREE lesson plans available at the Arbor Day Foundation web site will center on the theme “Trees are Terrific…Inside and Out!” The activities will help increase students’ knowledge about the way trees grow and function. Activities also correlate with National Science and Art Standards. Americans value trees for many reasons. They can add 15% or more to the value of our homes, help cool our home and neighborhood in the summer, break the cold winds to lower our heating costs in the winter, and provide food for wildlife throughout the year. Over the course of 50 years, a single tree can generate $31,250 of oxygen, provide $62,000 worth of air pollution control, recycle $37,500 worth of water, and control $31,500 worth of soil erosion. If utility companies or communities fail to prune trees effectively, their branches can cause power outages in an ice storm or blizzard. Many Massachusetts communities with strong interests in environmental conservation have become known as “Tree City, U SA.” Established in cooperation with the USDA Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters, provides direction, technical assistance, public attention, and national recognition for urban and community forestry programs in thousands of towns and cities that more than 93 million Americans call home. Sutton has been involved for 11 years and Blackstone has held that designation recently as well. A “Tree City, USA” needs to meet four criteria – 1. Have an official or board responsible for trees, The American Elm (Ulmus Americana) was adopted as the official tree of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on March 21, 1941, to commemorate the fact that General George Washington took command of the Continental Army beneath one on Cambridge Common in 1775. It is a large tree, with gray flaky bark. Growing in the forest, the elm tree often attains a height of 120 feet, but in the open, it is wide-spreading and of lesser height. The leaves are oval and dark green, turning to a clear yellow in the autumn. The American Elm, like most elms, has been severely afflicted by Elm Disease. Communities in Massachusetts were once graced with shady streets lined by elms and elm trees were prominent in our state and local parks and forests. Science has helped to develop a disease resistant elm, and we can all help to restore the American Elm to its prominence in our region. The Elm Research Institute has such trees available for communities wishing to restore their shady streets, for developers willing to add value and beauty to their projects, and for individuals who would like to donate a tree to a state or local park in memory or honor of a loved one or as a holiday gift. Interested individuals or communities can find more information at the Elm Research Institute web site, www.libertyelm.com. For more information on my environmental initiatives or other work in the Senate, please log onto my web site, www.senatormoore.com. |
