Arbor Day
About Arbor Day
Date When Celebrated: Arbor Day is always held on the last Friday in April
National Arbor Day is the Tree Planter’s holiday. It has been celebrated since 1872. It began in Nebraska, a largely treeless plain back in the 1800s. On April 10, 1872, Conservationist J. Sterling Morton proposed this day to the Nebraska State Board of Agriculture. in Lincoln, Nebraska. It grew to become a nationally recognized holiday.
Arbor Day is a day to plant and dedicate a tree to help nature and the environment. On this day organizations and individuals plant millions of trees. Many organizations provide young tree saplings for free.
The National Arbor Day Foundation provides millions of trees for planting. Organizations, groups, and individuals plant over 18 million trees d each year on Arbor Day. Did you know? The Latin word for “Tree” is “Arbor”…sure you did!!!
Arbor Day Trivia
Use this Arbor Day trivia to show people how informed you are about the holiday, trees, and protecting our environment.
- There are an estimated 300 billion trees in the United States.
- There are an estimated 3 trillion trees in the world.
- Dogwood flowers are the official flower of Arbor Day.
- The official Arbor Day tree is the mighty Oak.
- The tallest living tree in the world is 379.1 feet tall. It is located in the Redwood National Park in California. Named Hyperion, it is 700 to 800 years old.
- The oak tree is the national tree of the United States.
- There are an estimated 422 trees for every person on the planet.
- The oldest tree in the world was Great Basin Bristlecone Pine located in Wheeler Park, Nevada. Named Prometheus. It was over 4,900 years old when it was cut down in 1964.
- Since 1972, The Arbor Day Foundation planted over 250 million trees.
- Trees store carbon
- They take in carbon dioxide and produce the oxygen we breathe.
- In some cultures, trees are sacred. And, they are used in religious ceremonies.
- Some ancient cultures believed the trees had magical powers and offered protection form evil spirits.
How to Celebrate Arbor Day
Here are some ways you can celebrate and participate in Arbor Day activities:
- Plant a tree. Join the millions of Americans who plant at least one tree today.
- Schools and organizations can hold tree-planting ceremonies.
- Support the National Arbor Day Foundation or your local conservation origination.
- Learn more about how trees benefit the environment and you.
- School art teachers have students draw pictures of trees.
- Help to educate others about the importance of trees.
Deep Thought for Today
“Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better. – – Albert Einstein
History and Origin of Arbor Day
The roots of this tree planting holiday go back to the 1870s. Even back then, people were aware of the alarming rate at which the vast American wilderness was being destroyed.
As previously mentioned, it was started by Conservationist J. Sterling Morton of Nebraska City, Nebraska.
The date for this holiday in April changed a few times over the years. Now, it is celebrated on the last Friday of April. April is the perfect time to plant trees.
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