Branch out this Arbor Day

On the pantheon of holidays, Arbor Day doesn't get the attention of, say, Thanksgiving or Fourth of July. But today, on the holiday, try to take a moment to think about and thank our forests.

"Arbor Day is an annual reminder of all of the things our trees provide us," said Phil Rodbell, regional coordinator for the U.S. Forest Service northeastern division. "Arbor Day does matter."

The annual celebration of the natural world was first celebrated in the United States in 1872 in Nebraska, when that state had seemingly endless, treeless plains. On that day alone, more than one million trees took root, according to the Arbor Day Foundation. The idea quickly spread to other states, and today, is celebrated depending on the best planting conditions. The national holiday is the last Friday in April.

By the late 1800s, educators began to bring Arbor Day lessons into the schools, an aspect of the holiday that still continues, although these days, tree promotion - and research - happens year-round.

Columbia University researchers recently found that childhood asthma rates are highest in city neighborhoods where tree density is lowest, said Dana Dentice, coordinator of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society's Plant One Million program. Trees planted near buildings significantly reduce the costs to heat and cool the structures. Another study, by the city's LandCare program, tracked people's heart rates with monitors: Passing a vacant lot filled with trash and debris produced stress.

"Visual exposure to settings with trees helps people recover from stress," said Dentice, whose program is about halfway to its goal of planting one million trees in the 13-county area. "That was a neat thing to see."

Other programs: The Department of Parks & Recreation operates TreePhilly, which gives away trees and provides planting advice. The Water Department created the "Green City, Clean Waters" plan, the largest green storm water infrastructure program in the nation. (Commissioner Howard Neukrug is one of 13 people being honored nationally this year by the Arbor Day Foundation.) The ambitious Greenworks program, proposed by Mayor Nutter in 2009, is also having a positive impact.

"Philadelphia actually means 'lover of trees,' " Rodbell said. "I think neighborhoods are stepping up and making that name mean something again."

WAYS TO CELEBRATE

Plant a tree, either on your own or with a group. TreePhilly (treephilly.org) will be giving away free trees for planting on private property through May. Plant One Million needs volunteers for large plantings in Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey. (plantonemillion.org)

Learn about your local trees. The Arbor Day Foundation sells "What tree is that?," a guide to 250 of the most common trees in North America at arborday.org. Or organize a "Find the biggest neighborhood tree" community challenge.

Give a green gift. Buy trees through an organization such as the Arbor Day Foundation and give away the seedlings. Donate to Heifer International (heifer.org) and the nonprofit will give trees to needy families. Remember loved ones by naming a single tree or entire grove for them in a U.S. National Forest with the help of A Living Tribute (alivingtribute.org).

Thank the people in your community who do good things for the environment, such as organize recycling programs, host neighborhood cleanups, or encourage tree plantings. Sign up to be that person next year.