Monthly Archives: April 2021

Celebrate 2021 Arbor Day with Fannin!

Friday, April 30 – Sunday, May 2nd

Arbor Day in the United States dates back to 1872 when a man named J. Sterling Morton left his legacy by leading an agricultural awareness campaign to plant more than one million trees in a day. Fannin Tree Farm encourages everyone to carry on the tradition of planting and growing trees. We invite you to celebrate Arbor Day on the farm by taking advantage of our massive sale on all inventory.

Our Arbor Day Sale is an entire weekend-long event from Friday, April 30th through Sunday, May 2nd. Stop by to pick out the perfect tree for your landscape. All trees will be on sale! Some of our best sellers include:

Select inventory will be on sale!

Help preserve the planet, beautify your yard and save money all at the same time. Remember, every tree purchased at our Arbor Day Sale includes professional installation plus Fannin’s one-year guarantee.

Save the date. You won’t want to miss this opportunity!

 

Want to Win a FREE Tree?

In honor of the season, we are giving away a FREE 45-gallon tree to one lucky winner. If your yard could use a little transformation, be sure to enter our Spring Free Tree Sweepstakes for a chance to win a free 45-gallon tree of your choice (restrictions apply). For more details, click the button below.

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Get Directions

Fannin Tree Farm, 15700 State Highway 121, Frisco, TX 75035

2021 Earth Day

 

“We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.” — Native American Proverb

Earth Day is an annual event created to celebrate the planet’s environment and raise public awareness about pollution.

The day, marked on April 22, is observed worldwide with rallies, conferences, outdoor activities and service projects. Earth Day is a time of the year to reflect on how your life impacts the planet. On this day, people think about new ways to reduce their carbon imprint and improve water quality.  They get together to get their hands dirty and make earnest strides towards making the Earth a better, and healthier, place to live.  Earth Day is an important day for people to take the time out of their busy lives to consider the impact that humanity has on the environment and for taking steps to minimize these impacts. As a result, we all can live happier and healthier lives in tune with nature.  While it would be nice if we all lived as if every day was Earth Day, this holiday serves as a friendly reminder each year, to respect the Earth and to show a little gratitude to Mother Nature.

Started as a grassroots movement, Earth Day created public support for the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and contributed to the passage of the Clean Air Act, the Water Quality Improvement Act, the Endangered Species Act and several other environmental laws. The idea for Earth Day was proposed by then-Sen. Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin, who died in 2005.  The first Earth Day took place on April 22, 1970, a monumental day that is widely credited for launching the modern environmental movement. 20 million Americans from all walks of life participated in the very first Earth Day. Twenty years later, Earth Day went global, mobilizing 200 million  people in 141 countries and lifting environmental issues onto the world stage.

Earth Day is a time to reflect and be thankful for everything the Earth does for us.

It is also a time to strengthen our relationship with nature, to give back, and to think of ways we can work to better support the Earth for future generations.  This year the theme for Earth Day is Protect Our Species.  Nature’s gifts to our planet are the millions of species that we know and love, and many more that remain to be discovered. Unfortunately, human beings have irrevocably upset the balance of nature and, as a result, the world is facing the greatest rate of extinction since we lost the dinosaurs more than 60 million years ago. But unlike the fate of the dinosaurs, the rapid extinction of species in our world today is the result of human activity.

This year, Earth day hits especially close to home for Fannin Tree Farm as it is focused on climate change and restoring our earth.  Trees curb climate change directly by removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Through the process of photosynthesis, forests offset 10 to 20 percent of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions each year. Additionally, trees help protect against climate impacts such as flooding, which is getting worse with more locally heavy precipitation. By catching rainwater, reducing erosion, and creating more permeable soils, trees help prevent nearly 400 billion gallons of runoff annually in the continental U.S., which is enough water to fill about 600,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools.

Trees are equally crucial for water and air quality, as over half of Americans depend on forests to capture and filter their drinking water. Tree leaves also absorb airborne pollutants and intercept particulate matter, helping reduce the throat irritation, asthma, and even premature death that these pollutants may cause. By annually removing over 35 billion pounds of these pollutants in the continental U.S., trees prevent over half a million cases of acute respiratory symptoms each year.

Not surprisingly, areas with more trees provide more benefits, like in the Southeast and Pacific Northwest.

However, some benefits are higher in urban areas, which often have higher air pollution and flood risks. Trees in urban areas can also reduce the urban heat island effect and lower air conditioning needs as much as 30 percent by providing a natural shade. Urban trees reduce U.S. energy bills by over $5 billion each year. And since lower energy consumption means fewer carbon dioxide emissions, planting trees can contribute to a healthier planet while improving our daily lives.

 

 

 

 

 

 

What can we do:

Here at Fannin we are always looking for ways to lighten our carbon foot print.  We re-use all of our plastic container buckets for growing trees.  We stopped buying plastic water bottles for our staff and gave everyone a Fannin Tree Farm bottle. We installed a water cooler that purifies the tap water.  We eliminated 100’s of plastic bottles a month.  I found this list that had some great ideas about other things we can do on Earth day and every day to support a healthy earth.  https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/different-ways-to-celebrate-earth-day.php

Earth Day Activities for Kids

Kids are a lot of fun on Earth Day: they have a natural instinct for conservation and preservation, they like to get their hands dirty, and they love any kind of celebration. Planning Earth Day activities for kids is easy; you should start by asking kids what they would want to do to help the Earth. This brainstorming session will help you decide what sorts of things you and your kids can do to help the Earth. Here are some suggestions:

  • plant a tree or a group of trees to beautify your neighborhood, provide shelter and food for birds, and prevent soil erosion.  In honor of Earth Day and Arbor day, you can pick up a tree to plant at your home for 40% off.
  • have a recycling party where friends and neighbors gather recyclable materials and turn them in for prizes
  • gather a group of kids and clean up garbage at a local park, beach, or other public area

Earth Day Books for Kids

If you read enough of my blogs, you know I love books and reading and love finding books for kids that teach about trees and saving the earth.  I found a few cool book lists about Earth Day and wanted to share them with you.

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/blog/kids/8-inspiring-picture-books-earth-day/

https://www.weareteachers.com/best-earth-day-books-for-kids/

April Fun for Kids

I love April. It’s springtime in Texas, the trees are turning green, flowers are blooming, the weather is amazing (fingers crossed) and the tree farm has a smell that I love.

 

Along with all of that April, also, has Earth Day (April 22nd) and National Arbor Day (April 30th.).  At Fannin Tree Farm we love celebrating these holidays!  This is a great month for activities for the kids to celebrate these holidays inside and outside and read some great books.  I have listed just a few fun websites that have some cool activities and book lists as we go into April to celebrate our great earth!  I hope you and your family are able to take advantage of this wonderful weather, get out and enjoy!

 

Activities:

https://wehavekids.com/parenting/10-Earth-Day-Activities-for-your-Family

 

Book Lists:

https://holidappy.com/holidays/Childrens-Picture-Books-About-Trees-for-Arbor-Day-Earth-Day-or-Every-Day

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/blog/kids/8-books-about-trees-for-arbor-day/

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/blog/kids/8-inspiring-picture-books-earth-day/

https://www.weareteachers.com/best-earth-day-books-for-kids/

 

Top 5 Flowering Trees for Spring in Texas

Add Some Color to Your Landscape

 

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As longer days of sunshine summon us outside, the prettiest trees in Texas begin to show their true colors, dropping hints that spring has arrived. Whether you are looking for the perfect photo opportunity or a beautiful backdrop for a picnic, these are the trees to keep your eye on when warmer weather rolls around.


Redbud

redbud_smallTexas Redbud trees enthusiastically announce spring with a vibrant cloud of pink and purple blooms. As one of the most picturesque signs of the season with their heart-shaped leaves and brilliant buds, these are the perfect ornamental trees to brighten up any yard or garden. Redbuds can withstand drought and easily adapt in alkaline soil conditions, reaching heights of up to 20 feet tall.


Crepe Myrtle

crepe-myrtle_smallAvailable in an array of sizes and colors, the Crepe Myrtle is a southern charmer with its brilliant blooms in both the summer and fall. Because of its extra long blooming period, it has been called the “flowering tree of 100 days.” Add a dwarf variety as a standout addition to a landscape, or plant a large Crepe Myrtle tree as a front-yard focal point. These flowering beauties love sunlight and can grow up to 25 feet tall.


Desert Willow

desert-willow_smallGreat for the low maintenance gardener, this hearty desert tree will survive in dry soil conditions with full sun in the Texas heat. A well-drained, raised bed is the best location to plant desert willows, especially in areas where annual rainfall is greater than 30 inches. Its pink and violet orchid-like flowers are members of the bignonia family. Surprisingly, this species is not related to the willow, as the name might suggest.


Vitex

vitex_smallYou’ll know a Vitex tree by its ostentatious canopy of purple flowers it produces in the summer and fall months. The Vitex is a hardy tree that boasts aromatic green leaves and grows quickly in most climate and soil conditions. This gorgeous Southern native grows about one foot per year, reaching anywhere between 10 and 20 feet tall when it is fully grown.


Magnolia

southern-magnolia_smallThe prominent, large white flowers of magnolia trees are synonymous with Southern style. Little Gem Magnolias, which produce flowers for six months, make a stunning addition to dress up an indoor garden or smaller landscape. Larger varieties like the DD Blanchard Southern Magnolia will flourish as the glorious centerpiece of a yard, standing 60-70 feet tall.

If any, or all, of these trees suit your fancy, head on out to Fannin Tree Farm to pick one out today!