ARBOR DAY E-NEWS

Featured Tree: Prairifire Crabapple (Malus 'Prairifire') It would not be too inaccurate to say that crabapples are the roses of the tree world. Taxonomically they are, in fact, members of the rose family, Rosaceae. Like their cousins -- the real roses -- crabapples are grown primarily for the beauty they bring into the world. Beyond the stunning early spring blossoms, much of the Prairifire's beauty comes from its changing leaf color throughout the year: glossy maroon or purplish-red in spring, becoming dark green in summer with purplish-red veins, then a beautiful bronze-color in autumn. Anyone who grows roses knows how temperamental they can be about growing conditions and how easily they fall victim to garden pests. The same holds true for many of the 800 different crabapple varieties currently in the records which are often susceptible to fire blight and apple scab. But not the Prairifire. This spectacular, relatively care-free tree thrives over a large part of the country and can adapt to many site conditions. Tree Shipping Schedule Update Free Red Maple with any order from the arborday.org Tree Nursery Learn about trees at the arborday.org Tree Guide Dear Friends, We're excited to send you this newest edition of Arbor Day e-news. Our colorful bimonthly publication should be arriving in members' mailboxes very soon. In the meantime, we're pleased to share with you several stories of ways your fellow members and supporters are helping to make our world greener and healthier by planting trees...and inspiring the next generation of tree planters. With deepest appreciation, John Rosenow Chief Executive

Replanting Our National Forests In a recent survey sample, 89% of responding Arbor Day Foundation members told us that replanting trees in damaged forests is "highly important." Comments from members are always valuable in guiding our programs. Case in point: There is a silent drama being played out in the forests of the West. Aided by warmer winters, an army of mountain pine beetles is sweeping through large areas. One of the insect's victims is the whitebark pine tree, a cornerstone of the region's ecology now seen by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as being in danger of extinction. Protein-rich whitebark pine nuts are a critical source of nutrition for grizzly bears, nuthatches, and alpine squirrels on which martens and raptors prey. Helped by donations from Foundation members, a group of wildlife biologists and foresters in the Greater Yellowstone Area is fighting back. Healthy specimen trees are selected where high in the treetops, cones are covered with mesh bags. Seeds are then collected for special tree nurseries, and the species is included in critical high-elevation replanting projects. With ongoing member support, the whitebark pine tree can continue to serve in its vital role in the Rockies' ecosystems. Learn more at arborday.org/replanting.

Volunteers: Start Here to Find Opportunities Volunteers are an essential part of planting and caring for trees in communities. Now there is a quick and easy way to find opportunities to help out near where you live. The arbordaynow.org Volunteer Center is a new part of the Arbor Day Foundation website that matches volunteers and local needs. Simply type in your Zip code to see a list of tree- and conservation-related opportunities in your vicinity. Details about the work and how to sign up are included. Conversely, any organization that needs volunteer help is invited to post its needs on the site. Join the millions of Americans who are helping to improve the quality of life in their communities by volunteering. Stewards of our trees and other natural resources not only contribute to the environment today, they make new friends, learn more about trees, and gain personal satisfaction that comes from providing for a better tomorrow.

Leadership Institute will Highlight Designing, Building, and Sustaining Outdoor Classrooms Teachers and environmental leaders wonder, "How can I inspire others to understand the educational benefits of an outdoor classroom?" Contractors request more detailed design and construction information, and landscape architects ask, "How will I become more versed in outdoor classroom design principles?" At the same time, children are craving and calling for more time exploring and learning outdoors. The Nature Explore/Outdoor Classroom Project Leadership Institute July 8-12 at Arbor Day Farm's Lied Lodge & Conference Center can answer all of these questions and more. Surrounded by the wonders of nature, participants will engage in hands-on learning as they explore principles and highly successful practices in designing and using nature-based outdoor classrooms. This comprehensive, four-day institute will offer educators in-depth, research-based workshops. Designers and contractors will receive comprehensive information on all facets of designing and constructing research-based natural outdoor classrooms for children.

Tree City USA Bulletins Offer Tips Galore How to control root problems, how to prune young trees, how to landscape to conserve water and a host of other 'how-to' topics are featured in the Arbor Day Foundation series of Tree City USA Bulletins. People can purchase individual copies at arborday.org/bulletins. But the highly-illustrated bulletins are mailed regularly to Friends of Tree City USA. You can become a Friend of Tree City USA and receive the bulletins bimonthly by joining online. The bulletins can help develop a personal library of educational material and they make excellent handouts at workshops and training sessions. To see all topics currently available, please visit regularly because new and updated editions are published every other month.

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Arbor Day Foundation · 2611 Arbor Avenue, Nebraska City, NE 68410 · 888-448-7337 · arborday.org