Hear us out: Arbor Day is seriously underrated. 

We know, we know… Arbor Day seems like just another obscure holiday—like National Bowtie Day or Cheese Pizza Day. But it’s actually a big-deal environmental celebration.

Officially declared a holiday waaaaaaay back in 1874, Arbor Day is all about encouraging folks to plant more trees. And although it started in tiny little Nebraska City, Nebraska, Earth Day’s cousin has now spread across all 50 states.

If you happen to be a tree enthusiast, you know Colorado celebrates Arbor Day on the third Friday of April. But here’s the deal friends, just like we don’t have to limit our sustainability efforts to a specific day of the year, we don’t have to wait until Arbor Day to get tree-happy! 

We’ll talk about how in just a sec, but first let’s talk about why we should all be tree enthusiasts.

Environmental Benefits of More Trees

Trees are a really, really, really critical part of keeping our planet clean and healthy. In other words, trees aren’t just lovely to look at. They also:

• Combat climate change, taking in carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen back into the atmosphere.

• Improve soil quality by filtering carbon, providing minerals, and pulling up nutrients from deep in the ground.

• Prevent soil erosion, acting as a natural barrier to winds and floods.

• Sustain local wildlife, providing food and shelter to animals like squirrels and birds.

• Decrease urban noise and light pollution, protecting the local ecosystem.

• Save the bees, giving vital access to pollen and nectar.

• Improve water quality, filtering runoff and trapping pollutants.

• Reduce overall temperature of an area, providing shade and reflecting heat from roads and parking lots.

• Maintain optimal humidity in the air, taking in and perspiring moisture.

Personal Benefits of More Trees

Doing things for Planet Earth should come as a no-brainer, obvi. But sometimes the personal advantages of living a more sustainable lifestyle just push the benefits over the top!

Planting trees around our neighborhood and in our own backyard has some serious bonuses for our bodily and financial health. More trees:

• Boost property values, with the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimating a 10% value increase for healthy and mature trees.

• Provide energy savings, maximizing shade, deflecting winds, and magnifying warmth.

• Improve our mental health, lowering stress levels and increasing feelings of satisfaction.

• Protect our physical health, affecting heart health and cognitive development.

• Create jobs, giving strength and wealth to our communities.

Four Ways to Support More Trees in Denver

#1 Be A Smart Ash

In recent years, the invasive emerald ash borer beetle (EAB) has wreaked havoc on Denver’s most popular tree. With 1 in 6 trees vulnerable to infestation, Denver’s tree canopy is in danger. To stop these pests in their tracks, Denver Parks and Rec created the Be A Smart Ash initiative!

With their solid identification, treatment, and replacement strategy, Be A Smart Ash aims to prevent the EAB from further affecting Denver’s trees. One of their biggest plans of attack? They’ll plant a tree for you! 

By planting a new, non-ash tree, the program hopes to grow new trees before losing established ones. If you meet their right-of-way qualifications, an arborist will come plant your tree and give you guidance on how to care for it—for free. Apply for a tree here! 

#2 Denver Digs Trees

The Park People’s Denver Digs Trees program provides free and low-cost trees to Denver residents to create “greener, healthier, more vibrant communities.” Through their organization, you can score a tree for as little as $10 if you’re in one of their target neighborhoods. If not, they’re only $35 per tree!

In their 35 years, The Park People have provided more than 60,000 trees for private and public properties around the city. Get reminded when their next application period opens!

#3 The Annual Arbor Day Tree Sale

The Park People also put on an annual Denver Digs Trees Arbor Day tree sale. They offer lots of species at various price points, though each tree is wildly cheaper—like 50% cheaper—than you’d find at a local nursery. If you’re not really about the application process, or they’ve run out of subsidized trees by the time you apply, check out this April event.

#4 The Urban Forest Initiative

If you love trees but you’re out of space in your own backyard, consider donating to the Urban Forest Initiative. While UFI is city-funded, the effort still relies heavily on donations to grow Denver’s urban forest. Its focus on education, infrastructure, and maintenance makes the UFI the ultimate tree-hugger donation destination.

You can plant roots, too!

We think more trees in Denver would be incredible. But what we love even more is to see you plant your own roots! If you’re looking to build wealth in real estate—whether buying, selling, or investing—we’re your people. Schedule a Discovery Meeting today to tell us all about your real estate goals.