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4-H Million Trees

Overview

4-H members, families, project groups, community clubs, afterschool clubs, school enrichment programs and camps are invited to participate in 4-H Million Trees. The project was conceived after a Pacifica (CA) 4-H member decided to do something to combat global climate change.

The vision

The vision is for 1,000,000 new trees to be planted by 4-H youth across the United States and Canada to offer numerous benefits:

  • Native trees will add beauty and heritage to urban, suburban and rural communities across the nation
  • Local air quality will improve
  • New trees absorb runoff and bring groundwater to the surface
  • Shade from these trees can help cool buildings, reduce air conditioning electricity needs and eliminate pollution and carbon emission associated with this power generation
  • Greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel combustion will be offset by absorbing and sequestering about 48,000,000 million pounds of atmospheric carbon dioxide per year
  • New trees replace trees lost to deforestation worldwide
  • 4-H youth learn they make a difference and can change the world both individually and as a group

Additional Information

  • Enrollment and reporting

    The national 4-H Million Trees program has an online registration form. We need an accurate accounting of the number of trees planted and a listing of those individuals, clubs or groups that participate in 4-H Million Trees. Please complete the online registration and report the number of trees planted. We want to know who from Missouri 4-H have participated. Please do this step, otherwise you won’t be counted.

  • Where to get trees

    • Local nurseries, lawn and garden businesses
    • Arbor Day Foundation (12 seedlings free with annual membership of $10)
    • Missouri Dept of Conservation, George O. White Forest Nursery (seedlings)
    • Missouri Department of Conservation

      • An agreement with the Missouri Department of Conservation allows 4-H members and groups to receive seedling trees at no cost.

      • 4-H member or group must register online with 4-H Million Trees
      • On the seedling order form write (or attach a cover sheet) that states “Requesting free trees that will be used in the 4-H Million Tree Project”
      • First come, first served, so order early! (Order by January or February)
    • Forest ReLeaf of Missouri

      • Free or reduced cost larger trees at Forest ReLeaf of Missouri

      • Project CommuniTree: Free 3-gallon trees for planting on public or not-for-profit land in Missouri.
      • Project ReLeaf: Reduced-cost trees (5–10 feet tall in 15-gallon containers) available each spring and fall for planting on public or not-for-profit property.
      • Priority ReLeaf: Free grant-funded trees available each spring and fall for planting on public or not-for-profit property in financially underserved communities in St. Louis City and St. Louis County.

  • Where to plant trees

    • In your backyard
    • On your own land
    • A rural neighbor's land
    • In a city park, along a city street, public conservation area, school grounds or other public owned property (requires working with local authority)

  • When to plant

    Tree planting may take place any time. Late winter or early spring is an ideal time to plant trees. The middle of the summer is not a good time, but whenever you are able to plant is the right time.

    Special dates for tree planting activities:

    • Missouri Arbor Day: first Friday in April
    • National Arbor Day: fourth Friday in April
    • National Earth Day: April 22 every year
    • Local Earth Day: may vary from the national date

  • Resources

    Arbor Day Foundation

    Arbor Day Foundation resources

    Related Websites

    These websites have been chosen by 4-H faculty for their educational content. No endorsement of products is given or implied. Please contact us if you find a broken link or other problem.