Oak Becomes America’s National Tree

America has the grandest trees on earth--the largest, the oldest, and some of the most magnificent. Now, with congressional passage and presidential signing of a historic bill, America has an official National Tree--the oak. Congress passed legislation so designating the oak in November, 2004.

The official recognition of the oak as America’s National Tree reflects a vote hosted by The Arbor Day Foundation at its website, arborday.org, in which Americans of all ages and from all walks of life helped choose the country’s newest national symbol from 21 candidate trees, or to write in another choice. “We undertook this vote to remind Americans of just how important trees are to us all, and to emphasize the history and grandeur of our trees,” said John Rosenow, president of The Arbor Day Foundation.

Throughout America’s history, oaks have been prized for their shade, beauty, and lumber. They are also known for their strength and endurance – in the annals of military history, "Old Ironsides," the USS Constitution, took its nickname from the strength of its live oak hull, famous for repelling British cannonballs. The oak is truly a symbol of the strength, the beauty, and the fortitude of the American spirit.

“Naming a national tree is a cause for celebration for us all. We’re grateful to the leadership of Congressman Bob Goodlatte of Virginia and Senator Ben Nelson of Nebraska for helping this become a reality.”

For more information about The Arbor Day Foundation and America’s National Tree, visit arborday.org.

Wild Oats’ “Dress a Bear for a Bear’s Sake” Campaign

Wild Oats Markets, Inc. has developed a unique and fun in-store program to raise funds to plant whitebark pine trees in National Forests! This promotion involves employees and customers in a terrific environmental project.

Employees at each Wild Oats store are dressing a 36” stuffed bear in creative attire or to represent a theme, such as a sports team, state motto, or special event. Customers will also have a chance to make donations to plant trees in National Forests in and around Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks. Funds will be used to plant whitebark pine trees in areas where their populations are declining. Grizzly bear depend on the whitebark pine for their seeds—an important food that provides needed fat for winter hibernation.

This is the second tree-planting promotion that Wild Oats has undertaken in partnership with The Arbor Day Foundation. We are happy to work with Wild Oats once again to plant trees in America’s National Forests!

Many fun promotional opportunities like this one are possible with The Arbor Day Foundation – contact us at 402-473-9543 for more information!

After the Storms: Restoring Community Pride

Severe storms can have a devastating effect on trees, destroying a community’s landscape and stripping the area of all of the economic and environmental benefits that trees provide. To provide trees for those areas that are damaged by tornadoes, floods, hurricanes or ice storms, the Arbor Day Foundation has created a “Tree Trunk” program. Hallam, Nebraska – a town just 25 miles south of the Foundation’s headquarters in Lincoln – will be the first community to benefit from this special program.

The town of Hallam was virtually destroyed by a tornado that swept through the town and surrounding areas the night of May 22, 2004. Every home was damaged or destroyed, vehicles were flipped, and a train was tossed off of its tracks. Trees throughout the town and surrounding farmsteads were uprooted and tossed, leaving little more than splintered remains.

As the town rebuilds, the Arbor Day Foundation is planting trees for homeowners in the community of Hallam at a special planting event on May 7, 2005. These trees will help restore beauty, create shade, draw birds and other wildlife back to the area, and help restore a sense of community pride. This “Tree Trunk” project has become an inspiring opportunity for locally-based corporations and citizens from neighboring towns to take part in an important environmental and community betterment project!

To learn more about the Hallam event and to help provide trees for other storm-stricken areas, contact Kevin Sander at 402-473-9543.