Calaveras is a California State Park dedicated to the preservation of a grove of giant sequoias that became a popular tourist destination in the 1930s. The park boasts of being the first big trees discovered by white settlers, back in the mid 19th century. Many of the trees are still standing, having endured the abuse of curiosity, greed, and a host of other exploits attached to these rare, gigantic novelties.

This park has a hiking trail (no park road for autos through the grove) that winds in, among and literally through some of the trees. It's only about one and a half miles in length, but it brings you into the intimacy of their otherwordly presence. The trees are truly fantastic, and the drive to see them over Sonora Pass is well worth living seeking it out, one of the good reasons to be close to the Sierra Crest. All this close enough from Reno to catch it in a weekend.

It usually goes without saying that if you live in the Truckee Meadows, the northern valleys, the southern valleys, or anywhere approaching the Sierra, at least once in your life you'll find yourself at Donner Summit during a snow storm. Even in April, if you find heavy rain in Auburn, the cold front at the higher elevations just might be throwing heavy snow as you attempt the pass.

Even if the moisture doesn't drench our dry soils, the snow in the high mountains melts into the ground sending the river waters our way in summer when beloved plants get thirsty.

By mid April, there's not as much concern about diving over Donner Summit, but it happened again this year. Such weather ends up prompting a celebration, another chance for snow shoes before the warmer weather sets in.

Speaking of trees, Arbor day is an old national tradition, dating back to 1872. The celebration was started by J. Sterling Morton to remind Americans and all citizens of this planet the importance of trees in our lives, the relationship trees have to our health and to our sense of beauty and our peace of mind. The day is celebrated each year on the last Friday in April. Arbor day as a reminder is always important, but perhaps more important now than ever as our planet's forests are disappearing at an incredible rate. The World Resources Institute gathers statistics on deforestation. Research indicates that about eighty percent of the earth's old growth forests have already been consumed. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the rate of forest destruction has slowed somewhat during the first decade of the 21st century, but we are still losing forests the size of Panama (7.3 million hectares) each year.

This year, trees and forests are not only being celebrated on a single Friday in April, but the United Nations has designated the entire year as the International Year of Forests! The effort is needed to bring to the attention of intelligent and responsive humans everywhere the dire need for a more sustainable response to the forests that remain. In conjunction with the UN, this year the US Forest Service has its own upbeat awareness compaign called "Celebrate Forests. Celebrate Life." Certainly, with only twenty percent of the earth's old growth, self-sustaining forests remaining, may this year help us to visualize, promote and implement policies and practices that might reverse this drastic, tragic history. So to this: Happy Arbor Day! And, if you forgot to plant a tree, it's not too late! May the International Year of Forests be a wake up call for all of those who have the means to respond.

Check out photographs of ancient Oak, Spruce and Ash trees in Europe's last ancient forest, Poland's Bialowieza Primeval Forest. The forest is a national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site of some 380,000 acres, one of the largest remaining old growth forests in all of Europe. The forest is threatened by global climate change and local resistance to protective park expansion that might ensure the forest's self-sustaining abilities.

John Strickland at Drycreek has a peculiar interest among his many horticultural interests: miniature trees. When you see his collection, you can see why. Each year he searches for true miniature and dwarf deciduous and conifer trees that would make any electric train enthusiast drool with delight. These trees are perfect for train hobbyists who have always dreamed of building a backyard railroad that wanders through a true to scale living world, something that brings out the kid in all of us. These trees are also perfect for those who like to create bonsai landscapes, miniature rock gardens, miniature parks and tree lined streets in tiny towns, and miniature hobbit forests whether in ground or in container. These little trees can be used, too, for creating small terrarium landscapes and are a wonderful way to get children interested in trees and gardening. The little landscapes change with the season and gardeners can decorate according to holidays and celebrations.

Some of the miniatures you might see coming and going through John's yearly collection are Boxwood, Cedar, Cotoneaster, Cypress, Golden Barberry, Hemlock, Juniper, Maple, Norway Spruce, White Spruce and many others. Drycreek also carries some beautiful containers for your hobby as well as miniature stones and ornaments. If you need tips on how to grow tiny trees, just ask John.

Oh, and Happy Arbor Day!

Adding trees to the neighborhood has multiple benefits. Trees help filter urban pollution, they provide much coveted shade for those hot sun downer days of summer, they provide vertical visual interest, they provide protection from the wind. Plus, humans just tend to enjoy having trees around. Maybe it's the psychological pleasure derived from the texture and color, or perhaps for people in the desert, it's the oasis feeling they promote. The notion of 'sacred groves' is ancient and there are even studies that show how trees help us heal both emotional and physical wounds. Certainly it's a fact that people love trees. Certain trees, like the mighty Sequoias and the coastal Redwoods take on so much meaning that people even put their lives on the line to save them.

To memorialize the planting of trees can help create memories that unite people and place for a life time and even for generations. The ritual brings to life the otherwise metaphorical notion of putting down roots. They become, literally, the trees of life, the trees of our lives. We often hear statements like "My grandmother planted that tree" or "My father and I planted that tree." In this way, trees become part of the family.

An advantage to planting trees in one's own yard rather than in a public place is that you can tend to and protect the tree more easily. It isn't a selfish act, since the tree will be well cared for and as it grows your neighbors will begin to reap the visual and environmental benefits as well. Of course, if you love your neighbors, this is a good day to invite them over to help plant the tree, or at least to mix the cocktails while the gardeners plant the trees.

One of the tricks to planting trees for Earth Day -- whether deciduous trees like maples, fruit trees or conifers -- is to make sure the trees you plant are weather hardy for our harsh high desert climates. Find a place in your yard where the tree can grow without competition. Happy Earth Day!