A handful of Santa Monica organizations will come together to celebrate Arbor Day by planting trees within the community this Wednesday, April 23.
Two American Sweetgums (Liquidambar styraciflua) will be planted in parkways on 19th Street between Pico Boulevard and Delaware Avenue between 11 am and 12:30 pm.
The American Sweetgum is noted for its glossy, green star-shaped leaves in the spring and summer that turn vivid red, yellow and purple in the fall. It can grow up to 60 to 75 feet tall and provide ample shade and significant environmental benefits.
The word Liquidambar alludes to the fragrant terebinthine juice or gum that exudes from the tree.
The City of Santa Monica, Urban Forest Task Force, Recreation and Parks Commission, Kiwanis Club of Santa Monica, and UCLA Circle K are collaborating for the event.
Founded in 1872 by J. Sterling Morton, Arbor Day celebrates the benefits of trees. 2014 marks the 142nd anniversary of Arbor Day and Santa Monica’s 33rd year as a Tree City USA, an honor given by the Arbor Day Foundation for Santa Monica’s commitment to effective urban forest management. To RSVP for the Santa Monica Arbor Day 2014 event, RSVP to trees@smgov.net.
Learn more about Santa Monica’s urban forest and Arbor Day at www.santamonicatrees.com and www.arborday.org.
