Arbor Day

Did you know the national tree of the United States is the oak tree?  I didn't!  Daily I receive in my Yahoo account an email from Trivia Today celebrating events which took place on this day in history, among other such notable occurrences.  Of course there are holidays dedicated to tree planting, conservation, trash and litter pick-up, and so on, but today is the day people celebrate trees.  Most everyone may have some inkling of the importance of trees and the various functions they serve in the environment.  For example, during the day trees "breathe" in carbon dioxide and release oxygen in to the environment.  (At night, trees actually transition over to breathing in oxygen and release carbon dioxide.)  To plant a tree(s) helps to prevent or retard soil erosion.  Also, planting trees near buildings lowers the energy cost of cooling/heating a building during the appropriate season.  There are many benefits of planting a tree.  For me, it is the satisfaction of helping the environment.  I receive extreme joy from interacting with the very creation God has made.  Good stewardship of such is a God-given responsibility.  This is why I am astonished at people who litter or who do not participate in recycling programs.  Doing so is not difficult and only requires a few extra steps which are not an inconveniences in any way, shape, or form.  (This morning I picked up litter around the apartment complex.  I easily could have picked up several trash bags, but I stopped once mine was full.)  To get back on track, if you are able to do so, please plant a tree or at least appreciate the created world around us.  Happy Arbor Day!

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