Congratulations to Catherine Stutler for winning this giveaway!
It’s Arbor Day, so go hug a tree! Or, plant one. Here are five reasons why you should plant a tree:
Breath
Trees provide us with life-giving oxygen. They take that CO2 that we expel, clean it up, and then deposit it back in the air for us to breathe. How can you not love something that takes our waste and makes it lovely?
Ownership
Nurturing my flowers and my garden provide me with an amazing sense of pride and accomplishment. Last year, I planted a little crab apple seedling in my front yard and was tickled as it began to thrive at the beginning of sprint. The Scottish poet, Alexander Smith, says “Trees are your best antiques.” It’s something you can enjoy now, tomorrow, and years from now.
Activity
The dog days of summer are coming up, and pretty soon you’re going to have to pry the video game controller from your kids’ hands. Kids don’t get outside as much these days, so give them something interesting to do in the great outdoors. It’s a perfect project to do together.
Goods
Think of all the things that you use on a regular basis that comes from a tree or tree derivatives. Paper. Rubber. Toothpaste (it’s true). Shoe polish. Soap. Paint. Even bubblegum. I think it’s safe to say that we have a strong dependence on trees as a society. So really, planting a tree is an investment…in your teeth.
Joy
According to the University of Illinois, living near trees makes people live longer and and feel happier. We know that trees are one of the amazing gifts God gives us to celebrate His creation. So it’s no surprise that trees could lower our stress level and help relax us.
To help you get started, we’ll buy one of you up to $25 in trees from the Arbor Day Foundation. You can mix and match, depending on your grow zone. Just leave us a comment and tell us — what’s your favorite kind of tree?
By entering today’s giveaway, you acknowledge Lifeway Christian Resource’s official promotion rules found here. Today’s giveaway starts at the posting time of this blog and ends next Tuesday (4/30/13) at 11:59 p.m. CST. You must be 18 to enter, and you may only enter once. The winner will be selected at random. For questions about the rules and regulations of this giveaway, please contact Bud Harlan at One Lifeway Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234-140.