Celebrate Arbor Day ~ Diversify The Canopy

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Celebrate Arbor Day and plant a variety of foliage in your community.  Arbor Day is April 24 and the Illinois Department of Agriculture encourages planting a diversity of trees for community canopies to avoid landscape devastation from invasive pests.

The best long-term defense against catastrophic tree loss is to use several species in our landscapes, selecting varieties that have proven their tough and tenacious growth in urban and suburban environments.

"Trees are an important component of our community landscape, both environmentally and aesthetically," Warren Goetsch, bureau chief of Environmental Programs, said.  "It is vital that every community have a healthy variety of trees within their landscape to help withstand the arrival of new invasive species.  The emerald ash borer (EAB), which affects all species of the ash (Fraxinus) family, is today's crisis, but with growing international trade we can expect other invasive insect species to attack our urban forests."

Illinois is divided into three planting zones.  A list of trees that are best to plant in each zone are available on the Illinois Department of Agriculture's website at www.IllinoisEAB.com.