We’re turning the corner into fall and trees are starting to prepare for their annual display of the amazing colors we look for in autumn. Are you prepared for fall? Here are a couple of things to remember:

October is Urban and Community Forestry Month in Washington. Since that is only a month away, now is a good time to start planning for tree planting or other events that celebrate trees in your community.

Tree City USA applications are due on December 1, but it isn’t too early to start your online recertification application. If you are ready to apply for the designation, you can get started by checking out the four standards, and then giving us a call with any questions you might have. If your city hasn’t proclaimed or celebrated Arbor Day this year, which is one of the four standards, there is still time.

The Washington Community Forestry Council meets on October 19 in Spokane, Washington. The day before the meeting, October 18, the City of Spokane will host a special tree planting event to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Arbor Day Foundation’s Tree City USA program by planting 40 trees. Spokane, a Tree City since 2003, is an appropriate place to celebrate. When a huge storm ripped through the area late last year, the city was able to account for most of the public trees that were lost during the event by consulting their tree inventory records. The city forester selected three small parks in a neighborhood that lost a significant number of trees, where 40 trees will be planted. Funding for the special project is through a grant from DNR UCF in partnership with the US Forest Service.

The 2016 Partners in Community Forestry Conference is scheduled for November 16 and 17 in Indianapolis. Sure, it’s a long way from Washington, but it is two days of collaboration and idea-sharing for those of us looking for new ways to strengthen and grow our community forests.

Here’s looking forward to a great season for trees in Washington!

by Linden Lampman, program manager, coordinator, DNR Urban & Community Forest Program