FULLERTON, Calif. – Yokohama Tire Corp. (YTC) planted 300 more tree seedlings at its U.S. headquarters yesterday, continuing its commitment in Yokohama’s global “Forever Forest” program, which aims to plant more than 500,000 trees worldwide by 2017.
 
This second phase of planting in Fullerton, Calif., followed the inaugural event held in December 2010 when YTC planted more than 500 tree seedlings.  A variety of trees indigenous to the area were selected for planting, including sugar bush, California holly and five species of oak trees consisting of coast live oak, canyon live oak, Engelmann oak, scrub oak and lakeside lilac. Trees, once mature, can absorb up to 48 pounds of carbon dioxide per year. Carbon dioxide traps heat from leaving the atmosphere, thus contributing to global warming.  
 
The Forever Forest campaign is held under the direction of renowned ecologist, Dr. Akira Miyawaki, who is recognized for his successful reforestation activities around the world.  Under his guidance, YTC’s parent company, The Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd., is on course to plant its goal of half a million trees over a 10-year period at Yokohama’s 17 locations around the globe. To date, more than 200,000 trees have been planted.  
 
“I am pleased to advance Yokohama’s environmental efforts in the United States,” said Yasushi Tanaka, president and CEO of Yokohama Tire Corp. “Yokohama has made a major commitment to protecting earth, and the results of the Forever Forest program will be a symbol of that commitment for many years to come."
 
Now in its fifth year, the Forever Forest project has included plantings in Japan, the Philippines, China, Vietnam, Thailand and the United States.
 
Within the United States, Forever Forest planting events have been held at Yokohama’s production facility in Salem, Va., and in Fullerton. Fullerton holds the distinction of being the only non-production facility to host a Forever Forest event.