Happy Arbor Day! Arbor Day is not a national holiday but is observed all around the nation. Some states, however, observe Arbor Day on different dates based on best tree planting times in their area. For example, in Florida<\/a> where the state tree is the Sable Palm, Arbor Day is on the third Friday in January. Whenever you celebrate Arbor Day, here are 10 fun facts about trees.<\/p>\n

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* Laboratory research shows that trees are really good for us humans. Visual exposure to settings with trees has produced significant recovery from stress within five minutes, as indicated by changes in blood pressure and muscle tension.<\/p>\n

* Trees are the largest living organism on Earth, with some coastal redwoods reaching over 360 feet tall and giant sequoias that can weigh 4 million pounds.<\/p>\n

* Almost 98% of the weight of a tree is made up of six elements: carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus and sulfur.<\/p>\n

* They are also some of the oldest organisms on Earth. Some bristlecone pines are thought to be over 5000 years old.<\/p>\n

* You probably remember from science class that trees produce oxygen, but you may not realize just how much. According to the\u00a0 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA),\u00a0 a single acre of forest absorbs six tons of carbon dioxide and puts out four tons of oxygen, which could meet the annual needs of 18 people.<\/p>\n

* In addition to improved air quality, trees benefit water quality, too. Their roots in the ground mean less runoff and erosion, which in turn allows more recharging of the ground water supply. In addition, wooded areas help prevent the transport of sediment and chemicals into streams.<\/p>\n

* There are over 23,000 different kinds of trees in the world.<\/p>\n

* Trees are Mother Nature’s air conditioners. The net cooling effect of a young, healthy tree is equivalent to 10 room-size air conditioners operating 20 hours a day. In fact, the USDA says that you can save 20 to 40 percent in energy used for heating with properly placed trees around buildings.<\/p>\n

* Tree roots do not grow very deep and most tree roots are in the top 12 inches of soil, but they are wide. Tree roots often extend two to three times the width of the tree.<\/p>\n

* Arbor Day didn’t start small. On the first Arbor Day in 1872, an estimated one million trees were planted in Nebraska.<\/p>\n

Happy Arbor Day, friend!<\/p>\n

Source:<\/em> The Arbor Day Foundation<\/a>;\u00a0 North Carolina State University Extension<\/a><\/p>\n

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