April 29th is Arbor Day and it celebrates the planting, upkeep, and preservation of trees. We are fortunate to live in a community that is a certified Tree City and People Loving and Nurturing Trees (PLANT) community. This basically means the city has dedicated staff, community members, a tree ordinance, and a budget to support the maintenance and planting of trees. That’s good news because trees are important for the planet and for us.

 This Arbor Day the Tree Commission encourages you to get out and enjoy the city’s trees and think about caring for, or planting, a tree of your own. Here are a few things you can do: 

• ❖Plant a tree in your yard or “tree box”.
  1. If you have yard space, a tree can add shade, beauty, fun (tree climbing!), and increase property values. The PG Rain Check Rebate program will reimburse residents up to $150 per native tree.
  2. If you have a tree box (this is the green space between the sidewalk and street) in front of your residence, the Tree Commission can help determine the right tree for a future planting.
• ❖Care for trees. One of the best things we can do is care for the trees we have.
  1. Remove invasive vines like English Ivy that choke trees and create a hazard in our community.
  2. Water young trees that have been planted in the past 1-3 years. Young trees need regular water as their root systems develop.
  3. Add a layer of leaf or hardwood mulch to keep moisture in the soil during the heat of the summer.
• ❖Get out for a walk and go on a scavenger hunt!
  1. Download or get a copy of the Mount Rainier Arbor Day Scavenger Hunt at the Little Libraries (31^st St Food Forest or Mount Rainier Elementary School) to walk about town and look at trees with a child.
  2. Studies have found spending 10-20 minutes a day outdoors can lead to increased well-being, happiness, and decreased amount of stress. 

If you are interested in planting a tree on your property or have questions about the trees you have but aren’t sure where to start, the Tree Commission can help. 

Please note: The Tree Commission has a new email address. It is treecommission@mountrainiermd.org. Please make sure to change your contacts. The old email address will be no longer active. The Mount Rainier Tree Commission is a group of resident volunteers charged to advise the city, educate the community, and advocate for the city's trees. Learn more here: https://www.mountrainiermd.org/government/city-committees/tree-commission