Blog

Landscape Design Tree Planting

8 Trees that Flaunt Brilliant Fall Color

By Arbor Day Foundation | September 24, 2018

Autumn is “leaf season,” nature’s annual color festival. Environmental factors and the genetic makeup of the trees determine the intensity and times of peak color, with factors varying from tree to tree and region to region.

Here are 8 of our favorite trees for fall color. These trees will also provide spring color, shade, privacy, and wildlife habitat.

Black Tupelo

Nyssa sylvatica

Called “one of the best and most consistent native trees for fall color” by tree expert Michael Dirr, the black tupelo is a terrific landscaping choice. Displaying various hues of yellow, orange, bright red and purple—often on the same branch—its foliage is a stand-out of the autumn season. Even the distinctive bark, which resembles alligator hide, adds visual and textural interest.

And while its blooms may not seem noteworthy, bees will be very appreciative of the presence o..

Corporate Partnerships Urban and Community Forestry/Green Infrastructure

New Jersey Tree Foundation Greens Communities on TD Tree Days

By Mary Sweeney | September 21, 2018

Guest post by Beth Kwart, Development Director, NJ Tree Foundation

The TD Tree Days program gives us opportunities to make a large impact in community parks, residential streets, and open spaces. We have planted anywhere from 30 to 130 trees at one time through our TD Tree Days events.

-Lisa Simms, Executive Director for the New Jersey Tree Foundation.

Each year, the Arbor Day Foundation and TD Bank awards 10 community grants to municipalities with Tree City USA designation as part of the TD Green Streets program. The grants are used to plant trees in barren and underserved communities.

The New Jersey Tree Foundation—an organization dedicated to improving the environment and quality of life for New Jersey residents by planting trees—has partnered with TD Green Streets grant recipients in New Jersey..

Featured Tree Planting

9 Trees that Can Survive Flooding

By Sheereen Othman | September 19, 2018

It’s that time of year, where storms, hurricanes, and flooding become more common. Storms deliver torrential rain that can lead to massive flooding, damaging homes, businesses, and sometimes our community trees. But some tree species are more tolerant than others at withstanding the impact of a storm and its aftereffects like puddles, soil deposition, and rushing streams.

Here are 11 tree species that can thrive in wet soil and flood conditions and can weather a storm.

1. River Birch
Betula nigra

As its name suggests, the river birch naturally grows along river banks. But as a landscape tree, it can be planted almost anywhere in the U.S. The species is valued for its relatively rapid growth, tolerance of wetness and some drought, unique curling bark, spreading limbs and relative resistance to birch borer.

The river birch has not yet reached the popularity of many maples and..

Tree Care

Are Your Trees Stressed?

By Arbor Day Foundation | September 17, 2018

Guest post by John Lang of Friendly Tree.

Believe it or not, trees get stressed, too.

While trees in forests typically live for a hundred years or more, trees in cities and towns usually only survive for a few decades. This is because various stressors in the urban landscape take their toll on tree health. Let’s explore some of these factors and how they can be managed.

What Causes Tree Stress?
It’s a common misconception that insects and disease are the main causes for tree death. The human environment actually causes the majority of stress that trees experience – and in fact, even infestation can in many cases be traced back to human activity.

Improper planting is one of the major reasons trees decline in urban environments. Additional contributors to tree stress include watering too much, watering too little, soil compaction, exposure to road salt and pollution, and construction near roo..

Corporate Partnerships

Nonprofit Partnerships Lead to Meaningful Projects with Employees

By Matt Spitsen | September 10, 2018

With summer’s end drawing near and fall planting season approaching, it’s a great time to reflect on what allows us to fulfill our mission of inspiring people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees. Partnerships.

Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much. — Helen Keller

Seldom can we accomplish our mission without help from individuals, communities, and our partners. This has never been truer as we grow and increase our reach.

Our corporate partners come to us looking for a way to engage their employees with their sustainability and corporate social responsibility goals. They are looking for a way to engage their workforce — but not just in one community, across their global or national footprint.

TruGreen Helps to Distribute Free Trees to Communities in Need

Thanks to our network of planting partners around the world, we’re able..

Ask An Arborist Tree Care

Ask an Arborist: How do I use Arbor Day Foundation Tree Care Products?

By Christine Hutfles | September 5, 2018

Tree care products help protect your newly planted tree from outside forces like wildlife and can reduce tree care needs such as watering. However, these products are intended to aid with tree maintenance, not replace it. Leaving products on and forgetting about them can do more harm than good to your tree.

Ooze Tube and Treegator®
The first products we’ll talk about are watering systems like ooze tubes and the Treegator®.

These systems simplify watering by allowing you to fill a 15-gallon bag that sits around the trunk of a tree. They’re great because they do a lot of the work for you. They also promote deep root growth, eliminate water runoff, and prevent transplant and drought shock.

Ask an Arborist: How do I Know if my Trees Need Water?

Ooze tubes and Treegators work on a range of trees and shrubs and they’re easy to install. Sim..

Tree Planting

7 Fast-Growing Shrubs

By Arbor Day Foundation | September 4, 2018

Bushes and shrubs tie a landscape together. Bushes like the Golden Globe Arborvitae provide a short hedge or screen, protecting wildlife and giving areas of your landscape privacy. Shrubs like the fast-growing Forsythia provide beautiful color in the spring or the fall. Whatever bush or shrub you choose, your woody plants will help clean the air, protect the soil, and beautify your home.

Check out these 7 fast-growing shrubs that will transform your landscape from bland to glam.

Blue Hydrangea
Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Nikko’

The blue hydrangea is the image most of us conger up in our heads when we think of hydrangeas in general. It is a timeless landscape plant beloved by many, including Martha Stewart.

Giant, long-lasting, mophead blooms appear in the summer, adding lovely color to the landscape. These shrubs work well as stand-alone specimens or as a hedge.

Hardiness zones 6-9.

2. North ..

Tree Campus USA

10-Year Tree Campus USA Spotlight: University of Nebraska-Lincoln

By Amber Morrison | August 31, 2018

Service Learning for Students is a big part of the Tree Campus USA Experience at UNL
This year, Tree Campus USA celebrates its 10-year anniversary. To commemorate this milestone, we are highlighting the campuses that have been part of the program since the beginning. Guest post by Eileen Bergt, Assistant Director UNL Landscape Services, University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

The University of Nebraska—Lincoln (UNL) was honored to be one of the first designated Tree Campus USA schools dating back to 2008. Prior to 2008, UNL only met three of the Tree Campus USA standards –lacking in formally engaging our student population. Tree Campus USA had a positive influence on UNL by giving us a push to engage students in tree planting. UNL is now able to share and embrace students’ passion, energy and care for our trees through the Service Learning Project.

In the past, ..

Tree Planting

4 Fast-growing Nut Trees

By Sheereen Othman | August 28, 2018

Nut trees can be a great addition to your edible landscape. Like other crop-bearing trees, many nut trees start to yield fruit in 3-5 years. In addition to enjoying the fruits of your harvest, many nut trees work well as shade trees and bloom lovely flowers in the spring. Many nut trees are slow-growing and require more space than is available in urban settings.

Here are four fast-growing nut trees that can be grown in the home landscape.

1. American Hazelnut
Corylus Americana
The American hazelnut (also known as the American filbert) is a native shrub of the eastern United States. The tasty nuts are highly prized by cooks for their easy-to-crack shells and small, sweet kernel. Squirrels love them as well … most likely for the same reasons. Hazelnut hedges can be used as windbreaks, visual screens, and to attract wildlife.

If you’re interested in planting hazelnuts for their nuts, be sure you ..

Tree Campus USA

10-Year Tree Campus USA Spotlight: Kent State

By Amber Morrison | August 24, 2018

This year, Tree Campus USA celebrates its 10-year anniversary. To commemorate this milestone, we are highlighting the campuses that have been part of the program since the beginning. Guest post by David Taylor, Tree Advisory Board, Kent State University.

In fall 2018, Kent State University will have been my home for two full decades. From student to administrator, I’ve witnessed many changes. At times, change itself feels like the only constant. Trees, however, have never been a fleeting presence, their steady company both as background players and featured performers.

Trees are infused throughout the campus, and even the most limber-necked owl would struggle to find much of a treeless expanse. From the mature white and red oaks of the Front Campus amphitheater to the slender whips of the newly planted climate change research grove, the sheer numbers grant the active campus ..

Arbor Day Member Stories

Member Weekend at Arbor Day Farm Reinvigorates the Foundation’s Mission

By Nina Burkey | August 21, 2018

The Arbor Day Farm is a magical place for creating memories
Thanks to the whole group of you, we were treated royally! You made this weekend so much more than expected – you are a great organization with a great vision – Janet Buetow

This summer, the Arbor Day Foundation invited a select group of long-time Foundation members to enjoy a hosted stay at Lied Lodge & Conference Center at Arbor Day Farm in Nebraska City, Nebraska. Member weekend was an opportunity for our members to learn more about our programs and see our work come to life.

Members traveled from 15 states across the country and shared a collective 600 years of Foundation membership amongst them. The weekend was meaningful to us, Foundation staff, because it gave us a chance to learn more about each of our members, why they choose to support the Foundation year-after-year, and w..

Tree Care

When a Storm Strikes

By Arbor Day Foundation | August 14, 2018

Never is danger greater to a tree than during the inevitable trial by storm. The weight of ice or snow and the fury of wind test the strength of limbs, trunks, and roots. The homeowner, helpless at the moment, can only watch and hope that the tree survives. Survival or loss — the key can be the care you give your tree before and after a storm. Knowing ahead of time what to do when a storm strikes can prevent or minimize your financial loss.

The Right Tree for the Right Place

Tree First Aid After a Storm
1. Take safety precautions. Be on the alert for downed power lines and “widow makers,” dangerous hanging branches ready to fall. And, unless you really know how to use one, leave chain saw work to the professionals.

2. Remove broken branches that are still attached to the tree. Branches should be pruned at the point where they join larger ones, following the steps shown below.

3. Don’t top your tre..