California ReLeaf Arbor Week Photos featuring tree planting events across the state

California Arbor Week

Celebrated Annually March 7 – 14

What is California Arbor Week?

Unlike most Americans who celebrate Arbor Day at the end of April, California celebrates Arbor Day early on March 7th in honor of famed California Horticulturalist Luther Burbank’s birthday. In 2011, the California State Assembly and Senate approved Resolution ACR 10  (Dickinson), making California Arbor Day a week-long celebration during March 7 – 14 every year.

Celebrating California Arbor Week

Trees bring life to California – and that is worth celebrating! During Arbor Week, commemorative events are held throughout the state. Cities, community groups, and individuals plant trees, host tree planting ceremonies, and educate California’s youth about the remarkable work trees do for our communities every day- from cleaning the air and water to improving the overall health of our neighborhoods.

Our Arbor Week Traditions

Youth Poster Contest – California ReLeaf hosts an annual Arbor Week poster contest for youth ages 5-12. Learn more about our art contest and how the student(s) in your life can participate!

 

Arbor Week Grants – California ReLeaf, with the help of our partners and sponsors, offers Arbor Week Grants for community groups. Grants fund tree planting efforts throughout the state. Community groups are encouraged to apply! Through grassroots community efforts, tree planting, tree care, and educational programming continue to grow community knowledge and appreciation and advocacy for our urban trees.

 

Spreading the Word About Arbor Week – California Arbor Week is a great time to give extra recognition to what trees provide us every day! To help spread awareness, California ReLeaf, with the help of partners and sponsors, has developed many resources to celebrate and recognize how trees benefit our communities.

  • Educational Resources – Elementary and Middle School Educators can use our online lesson plans
  • Media Kit and Templates – Templates for Editorials, OpEds, Social Media Posts, and more!
  • Benefits of Trees – Trees make our communities healthy, beautiful, and livable. Urban trees provide an immense range of human, environmental, and economic benefits. Learn more about the many ways trees benefit us!
  • Tree Planting Event Toolkit– Want to develop a local tree event and don’t know where to start? Check out our tree planting event toolkit to help you start planning today!
California ReLeaf grantee Food Exploration and Discovery adult volunteer teaching three children how to plant a tree.
Network

Arbor Week Poster Contest

open hand and tree
Arbor Week Grants
Grants
Arbor Week Educational Resources
Advocacy

Arbor Week Media Kit

Arbor Week News and Updates

2023 Arbor Week Press Conference

2023 Arbor Week Press Conference

California ReLeaf held an Arbor Week press conference on Tuesday, March 7th, at South Prescott Park in Oakland with our partners, CAL FIRE, USDA Forest Service, Edison International, Blue Shield of California, Common Vision, and Oakland community leaders. Please see...

Join the Celebration!

Volunteer Locally

Participate in California Arbor Week Celebrations and events in your neighborhood! Search our Network directory to find a community group near you, learn about upcoming events, get in touch, pick up a shovel and get involved.

Become a Sponsor

California ReLeaf welcomes sponsors for California Arbor Week. As a sponsor, your funds will provide grants for local community groups, who will lead Arbor Week tree planting celebrations and educational events recognizing the importance of urban trees. Please email us with the subject line “Sponsorship Interest” to learn more about how you can get involved.

Support

Help support California Arbor Week. Donations will help fund tree plantings and educational events and activities for students and individuals all across the state of California.

Poster Contest Winners Hall of Fame

Photo and Video Contest Winners Hall of Fame

California Arbor Week Sponsors

U.S. Foreste Service Department of Agriculture
Cal Fire

“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.”–Chinese Proverb