LAHAINA GATHERS TO REPLANT, REBUILD, AND REMEMBER FEATURED ARTICLE
DAN LAMBE Chief Executive, Arbor Day Foundation
Earlier this year, we announced our second annual Canopy Report, a nationwide survey exploring how Americans view trees and green spaces in daily life. The findings are powerful: people overwhelmingly recognize trees as tools for better health, pillars of strong neighborhoods, and symbols of a more hopeful future. Americans told us our lives are better around trees.
This year’s report also highlights a growing trend — the impact of natural disasters. From wildfires to hurricanes, Americans are feeling the effects of extreme weather, and the impact extends to their communities’ canopy. Fortunately, many say trees are paramount for recovery and resilience. Nearly 90% of respondents said replanting trees after a disaster is essential to rebuilding.
You’ll see this theme echoed throughout this newsletter as we bring you stories of recovery from Lahaina, Hawaii, where trees are helping restore hope after the devastating wildfires in 2023. These stories — and the Canopy Report data — remind us that trees are not just symbols of renewal, but a practical path forward.
Download the full report at arborday.org/report — and for every download, we’ll plant a tree in a forest of greatest need.
FROM ASHES TO ACTION: RESTORING FORESTS AFTER WILDFIRE
Wildfires can erase forests in hours — but rebuilding them takes years of science, planning, and partnership. The Arbor Day Foundation works with trusted local partners to restore fire-damaged landscapes across high-risk areas like the American Pacific West, where replanting is more urgent and complex than ever.
When it’s done with intention, the results are remarkable — like more than two million trees planted in the wake of California’s historic Camp and Carr fires. These restorations happen because of the Foundation’s network of reforestation experts, on-theground partners, and our members, whose support fuels the long-term recovery of wildfire-impacted communities and the forests they depend on.
RECOVERY BEGINS LONG BEFORE THE FIRST TREE
Tree planting is actually one of the final steps in a long recovery process. It begins with site assessments and planning — determining which species will thrive, how the landscape has changed, and how to give young seedlings the best shot at survival. From removing invasive brush to testing soil, everything must be timed precisely and, in many regions, there’s only a short seasonal window to safely plant.
Seed collection is another essential early step. Most conifers drop their cones in late summer, leaving just weeks to harvest viable seeds before they’re lost. Once harvested, those seeds head to nurseries, where they grow for 12 to 18 months before they’re ready to plant. But with fires growing more intense and widespread, nursery capacity has become one of the biggest barriers to recovery.
High-intensity fires don’t just burn trees — they destroy soil seed banks, threaten genetic diversity, and leave
behind sterile ground with nothing left to grow. In these moonscapes, reforestation is the only way back.
Still, there’s hope. “It’s humbling to see the devastation,” said Nik Larum, general manager of Cal Forest Nurseries, Inc., “but incredible to know you’re part of helping these forests return.”
In the wake of wildfire, trees truly are more than a solution — they are a symbol of resilience. “Trees play a huge part in giving people hope and community resilience after a wildfire,” said Taylor Nilsson, executive director at the Butte County Fire Safe Council in California. “When we think about replanting, we always encourage people to nurture and love the trees they’re replanting — not just for today, but for that 50- or 100year tree they may not live to see. That tree is for the next generation. And it’s being planted with wildfire resilience in mind.”
Reforestation after wildfire isn’t fast or simple, but it’s essential. With decades of experience and a global network of partners, the Arbor Day Foundation is committed to doing this work the right way: strategically, collaboratively, and with future generations in mind.
Learn more about what it takes to bring fire-damaged forests back to life at arborday.org/camp-and-carr
ROOTED IN ALOHA
Lahaina Gathers to Replant, Rebuild, and Remember
Two years after the most devastating natural disaster in Hawaii’s history, the historic town of Lahaina on the island of Maui is beginning to regrow — one tree at a time.
On August 8, 2023, the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century tore through Maui, with Lahaina suffering the greatest loss. More than 100 lives were claimed, over 2,200 structures were destroyed, and this once-vibrant coastal community was left nearly unrecognizable.
“It was like the apocalypse – people were just standing there watching the town burn,” said Pamela Reader, longtime Lahaina community member. “We lost everything.”
But here, where the spirit of aloha endures even in loss, a new chapter is taking root.
In partnership with local organizations like The Outdoor Circle, Treecovery, and the Royal Lahaina Resort, the Arbor Day Foundation recently returned to Maui to host a community tree distribution — its first in-person event on the island since the fires.
Through Treecovery, more than 150 families were surveyed to learn what species they wanted and needed. The result: 94% of the 583 trees were food- and fruit-bearing varieties like citrus, avocado, breadfruit, and jackfruit. In a state where one in three households faces food insecurity — and where disaster can leave shelves bare in less than a week — these trees represent more than shade.
They’re sustenance. They’re security. And in Hawaiian culture, they’re community. “When we harvest tree fruits, you share,” said Winston Welch, executive director of The Outdoor Circle. “That’s just part of the culture here.”
Events like this reflect the Arbor Day Foundation’s growing commitment to long-term disaster recovery in communities across the world. In 2024 alone, the Foundation helped plant and distribute more than 1.1 million trees across 63 cities recovering from disasters.
Recovery isn’t just about putting trees in the ground — it’s about doing it the right way, with the right partners, when the land and people are ready. For the community in Lahaina, it was two years before it made sense to start re-canopying the area.
“This is a poignant and reflective day,” said Welch. “But it’s also a hopeful one. A day filled with aloha — for each other, and for the place we call home.”
Held on the second anniversary of the fires, the event was anything but typical. While most families have yet to rebuild, the desire to reconnect with the land, and each other, was strong. Because many residents still lack a place to plant, the event was structured as a distribution-planting hybrid. Attendees helped up-pot the trees at one of Lahaina’s new tree hubs, located at the Royal Lahaina Resort. All of these trees will go to homes that had trees lost in the fires, and for homes not yet ready to plant, the trees will be cared for on-site until the families and the land are ready to receive them – free of charge.
“Trees help heal the land and the people. They symbolize rebirth — and they’re just one small way we can support the rebuilding process,” said Myles Ritchie, programs director at The Outdoor Circle.
And healing, just like planting, takes time.
This work in Lahaina reflects a deeper commitment by the Arbor Day Foundation to help communities recover from disaster with long-term, thoughtful reforestation.
Read the full story — and meet the people bringing Lahaina’s canopy back to life — at arborday.org/lahaina
A LEGACY THAT GROWS
30 Million Trees Planted in Honor and Celebration
There are moments in life that shift our perspective. The loss of a loved one. The joy of a new beginning. These milestones remind us of what matters most — and for many Americans, they’ve become an opportunity to make a lasting impact.
Through the Arbor Day Foundation’s Trees in Memory and Trees in Celebration programs, people have honored lives and legacies by planting more than 30 million trees across forests in need since the program’s inception nearly 20 years ago. That’s 30 million living testaments to love, remembrance, and hope for the future.
Whether marking a birth, a wedding, a retirement, a birthday, or saying goodbye to a loved one or pet, these programs offer a powerful way to elevate a celebration or commemoration by also doing good for the planet. With
each gift, members and supporters help replant forests devastated by wildfire, restore critical wildlife habitat, and protect clean air and water for generations to come.
Trees connect us to something larger, something lasting. They outlive us, offering shade and shelter long after we’re gone. By choosing to plant a tree in someone’s honor, supporters are leaving a legacy that will grow for decades.
As a member, you already make a difference. But if you’re looking for more meaningful ways to support our mission, these programs are a heartfelt and lasting way to do just that.
Start your tribute today by visiting arborday.org/tribute
YOUR COLD-WEATHER TREE CHECKLIST
Winter may seem like a break for your trees — but it’s actually a great time to show them a little off-season love. With a few quick tasks, you can set them up for a healthy, resilient start come spring.
Here’s your winter tree care made easy:
Inspect for damage. With branches bare, it’s easier to spot broken limbs, cracks, or signs of disease. Catching issues now can prevent bigger problems later.
Clean up the base. Clear away fallen leaves, dead branches, or mulch piled too high. A tidy base helps prevent pests, mold, and rot.
Prune with purpose. Winter is a prime time for structural pruning. Without leaves in the way, you can shape wisely and support long-term growth.
Protect young trees. Use trunk guards or fencing to prevent critter damage.
Watch the salt. De-icing salts can damage roots and soil. Use tree-friendly options or create barriers to block runoff.
Water during dry spells. If your winter’s been mild and dry, give trees a deep drink during warmer days. Roots still need moisture, even when dormant.
For more tips and resources to keep your trees thriving year-round, visit arborday.org/wintertips
THE FUTURE IS COUNTING ON YOU
We all have a role to play in shaping a greener future. One with a thriving neighborhood tree canopy, vibrant forest ecosystems, and a healthier planet for future generations. This is a future that’s going to take all of us doing everything we can.
Here’s your moment to make an impact that will last well beyond your lifetime. With help from the Arbor Day Foundation, you can leave a legacy through trees.
To learn more about gift planning, go to arborday.org/planning or scan the QR code.
We are here to help: Erin Mousel, Gift Planning Officer 888-448-7337, ext. 9614 emousel@arborday.org
You may also fill out and mail the form below.
I WOULD LIKE MORE INFORMATION ON:
l Including the Arbor Day Foundation in my will
l Charitable gift annuities
l Tax-free IRA distributions
l Gifting stock
l Other gifting options
Name Address
City/State/Zip
Phone Number
Best time to call
PONDEROSA PINE
Pinus ponderosa
With its tall, straight trunk and cinnamon-colored bark, the Ponderosa pine is a striking presence on the landscape — and a symbol of strength in nature. Native to the American West, this evergreen is well known for its ability to thrive in tough conditions while offering year-round beauty and vital habitat.
Capable of reaching heights between 60 and 125 feet, the Ponderosa is ideal for open spaces, windbreaks, and largescale plantings. Its thick bark and deep roots help it withstand drought and wildfires — natural defenses that are becoming increasingly important in the face of extreme weather.
Beyond its resilience, the Ponderosa pine supports wildlife with its long, fragrant needles and cone production. Birds and small animals find shelter in its branches, while the pinecones offer seasonal interest and practical use.
Plant in full sun and well-drained soil for best results. This hardy tree grows well in zones 3–7 and is particularly suited to areas with dry summers and higher elevations.
To purchase or learn more about this tree and others, visit arborday.org/ponderosa-pine or scan this QR code.
We guarantee delivery of healthy trees to our members. Please check ordering deadlines and shipping dates at arborday.org/shipping. If you need to contact us about your trees, call 888-448-7337, email us at info@arborday.org, or drop us a note at
We want your tree planting efforts to be successful!
