We have the bald eagle, the Star-Spangled Banner and the rose as our national symbols. But we don't have a national tree. That's about to change. The National Arbor Day Foundation is offering Americans the unique opportunity of choosing our national tree. St., Lincoln, Neb., 68508.
Trees have always been important to America, the foundation points out.
Trees help our homes be more energy-efficient, add to the curb appeal, and provide a source of shelter and food for birds and other wildlife. It's not often the public can help choose a national symbol. The voting process is also an opportunity to educate people about the rich diversity of America's trees. Think about it. And what about flowering dogwoods, flowering crabtrees, Washington hawthorns, American redbud, river birch, burr oak, cedar, Douglasfir and many, many others.