Why Act?

Trees are a tremendous resource, providing cooling, producing oxygen, removing carbon dioxide, enhancing habitat, muffling noise, improving water quality, and beautifying our community. Tree planting is a wonderful way for people of all ages to connect with nature. Trees will save energy, both reducing the need for air conditioning and sheltering homes from cold winter winds. Trees planted near a home can increase its value by 15% or more. With the tremendous loss of trees in our urban and suburban areas, planting trees is more important than ever.

Action Steps

1. Spring and fall are the best seasons for planting a tree. If the weather is mild and the ground is soft, winter is fine too.

2. 2. If you don’t have a yard, volunteer with a local tree planting event or contact your neighborhood school about donating a tree and your planting and watering services. Another option is Arlington County’s Commemorative Tree Program to plant a tree in one of Arlington’s parks in honor of a birth, anniversary, or other notable event. Always ask permission to plant a tree if you don’t own the property.

3. If you’re planting a tree in your yard, find a site for the tree. Look at the tree’s moisture, soil, and sun requirements. Plan for its future size looking at both height and canopy width. Choose a native species to enhance wildlife benefits.

4. Prepare soil by breaking up compact areas (use a rototiller if necessary).

5. Dig the hole as deep as the root ball and at least twice as wide.

6. Do not break the root ball. For a container-grown tree, keep as much of the root ball as undisturbed as possible. For ball and burlapped trees, remove as much of the wire cage and burlap wrap as possible before planting.

7. Place the tree in the hole, making sure the tree is planted no deeper than the soil in which it was originally grown.

8. Fill the hole in with soil and compress firmly with your hands.

9. Place one to two inches of organic mulch around the base of the tree. Do not let the mulch touch the tree trunk.

10. Make sure the tree has sufficient water for its first year, the most critical time for a newly planted tree. Trees need to have one inch of water per week.

Materials

Tree, shovel, water, mulch

Time

20 to 30 minutes to plant one tree, depending on size

Resources

Arlington Releaf - local planting projects
703-527-8706.

Arlington County Tree Stewards – training and workshops
703-228-6423

Arlington County - tree information and Commemorative Tree Program
http://www.arlingtonva.us//Departments/ParksRecreation/
scripts/parks/ParksRecreationScriptsParksTrees.aspx

Earth Sangha – nursery and local planting projects
http://www.earthsangha.org/

National Arbor Day Foundation
http://www.arborday.org/

Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation – Native Plants for Conservation, Restoration, and Landscaping (including trees)
http://www.dcr.state.va.us/dnh/native.htm