The idea for a tree planting day began in 1854. It was in this year that journalist J. Sterling Morton and his wife moved to the Nebraska Territory from Michigan. They loved trees and nature, and the plains of Nebraska were virtually treeless. They soon filled their land with trees, shrubs and other plants to provide wind breaks and shade on their property. They also planted orchards. The Mortons encouraged their neighbors to plant trees as well.
Morton became editor of Nebraska's first newspaper and often used the paper to make state-wide pleas on the necessity and importance of planting trees. He felt that both the economy and the landscape would benefit from the trees.
The First Arbor Day
In January of 1872, Morton became a member of the State Board of Agriculture in Nebraska. In that forum, he proposed that a date be set aside annually for tree planting in the state. The first Arbor Day date was set for April 10 of the same year, and prizes were offered to people and organizations who planted the most trees on that day. Nebraskans planted over one million trees on April 10, 1872.
A State Holiday
The next Arbor Day wasn't held until 1884. The following year, in 1885, Arbor Day was proclaimed a legal holiday in Nebraska, and the date of April 22 was chosen. April 22 was the birth date of J. Sterling Morton. Soon after, the states of Kansas, Ohio, Minnesota and Tennessee proclaimed their own Arbor Days. Soon, all 50 states were celebrating Arbor Day. Australia, Japan, Korea, Israel, India, and Yugoslavia, among other countries, also celebrate Arbor Day or a variation of it.
A National Day
In 1970, President Richard Nixon proclaimed that the last Friday in April was to be observed as National Arbor Day. All 50 states plus the District of Columbia observe National Arbor Day. Twenty states and the District of Columbia celebrate Arbor Day on the last Friday in April. The other thirty states vary the date according to the best local tree planting weather.
What You Can Do
Arbor Day is a great time for homeowners to take stock of their landscaping. Check your trees for disease, and remove any trees that are damaged. Buy new trees and plant them with your children. It is a great time for them to learn about nature and the importance of trees as well. Organize your neighbors and friends, and plant trees in local parks and common areas in your neighborhood.
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