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Arbor Day home

Georgia's Arbor Day 2008 was celebrated

on Friday, February 15th.

The statewide theme for 2008 was:

"Connect and Collaborate!

Working Together for a Healthy Urban Forest"

Congratulations to the winners of Georgia's Arbor Day poster contest!

Each year 5th graders across Georgia participate in an Arbor Day Poster Contest. The winning poster will then be sent to the National Arbor Day Foundation to compete with other posters from across the nation.

 Don’t hold back on tree planting because of the drought.  Trees provide multiple benefits such as reducing surface temperatures and soil erosion, which helps improve water quality.  Planting and establishing new trees ensure that as mature trees age, others are in place to provide these benefits and more.

Considering local watering restrictions may be in place, here are some tips to help weather the dry conditions. 

Tips for Planting and Taking Care of Trees During a Drought

1. Mulch trees.  (Add mulch at a depth of three inches.  Place it over the tree roots.  Do not place mulch against the tree trunk.)
2. Use recycled water or gray water from your home (dehumidifier, air conditioning condensate, or shower before it heats.)
3. Pump water from other sources such as detention ponds, lakes, creeks or cisterns.  Remember to get permission from the landowners if the water source is not on your property.
4. Use gator bags and refill them with recycled water.
5. Ask the fire department to use water that is recycled from their trucks.  Follow crews as the fire hydrants are drained and collect the water. A large tank is needed to collect water as it is under high pressure.
6. Get a permit (contact your local county government) and pay to bring water in from other sources.  Your trees provide more benefits than this cost. 
7. When you are able to provide water, the most beneficial time to irrigate plants is during the late night and early morning hours. Evaporation is minimized, and the foliage has time to dry out during daylight hours.  Evening watering is efficient for water use, but should be applied after dew is on the leaf surfaces
8. Install a rain barrel at your planting site. 

Contact your local GFC office for more information or visit GaTrees.org.

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Georgia's Arbor Day Poster Winners

Congratulations to our 2008 Arbor Day Poster Contest winners!  We had 41 entries from around the state. 

First Place ($100 Savings Bond)

Grayson Cohen

Blackburn Elementary School

Lumpkin County

Grayson’s poster will now be sent to the National Arbor Day Foundation to compete with other posters from across the nation! 

Second Place ($75 Savings Bond)

Mallory Sammons

Deerfield-Windsor Lower School

Dougherty County

Third Place ($50 Savings Bond)

Robb Williams

Centralhatchee Elementary School

Heard County

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