Today is Arbor Day and everyone is encouraged to celebrate by doing something tree-related.

Brad Riphagen is the Trees Forever Coordinator for Jefferson and says one of the best ways to honor Arbor Day is by planting a tree. When considering what kind of tree to purchase and to plant on your property, Riphagen suggests doing some research, figure out what kinds of trees are already on your property and try a different kind of tree from what you already have to increase the diversification of your trees. He explains that the main reason for not having similar species of trees on your property is mainly to prevent an issue like when the Emerald Ash Borer killed all of the ash trees.

“The point being here is that by diversifying, we reduce our risk ultimately if we have another pest come through (or) disease that will take out a particular species.”   

Riphagen states that some of the benefits of having trees is to provide fresh air and oxygen for humans to breathe, but they can also provide shade and potentially be used as a cost savings to your cooling bill in the spring and summer months. He suggests some trees that would grow well in Iowa include some native Iowa trees such as the service berry and eastern redbud, along with white oak, sycamore, tulip, white pine and Norway spruce.