New Year of the Trees

By Phran Novelli

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - This is the time each year when the Jewish New Year of the Trees is celebrated, and the Morris Arboretum in Chestnut Hill has events this week for children to learn about planting and caring for trees, culminating in their Tu B'Shevat Family Day festivities on Sunday, February 12th from 1 to 3 pm, where children will get a seedling to take home.

Just like Arbor Day, the New Year of the Trees is an opportunity to take stock of trees around you; check on trees you've planted over the years - how are they growing? It's a reminder to have older trees on your property inspected, winter is a good time for an arborist to get a clear look at an older tree's structure before it leafs out in the spring. And it's also a chance to consider new trees you might want to plant this year too.

Another way they celebrate the holiday in Israel is to eat and drink things that grow there - grapes, dates, figs, pomegranates and olives - so you could enjoy those, or celebrate by eating nuts and fruits from trees that grow around here.

For more on Tu B'Shevat at the Morris Arboretum: Business-Services.UPenn.edu/Arboretum