Arbor Day 101
Did you know that Arbor Day is celebrated on the last Friday in April? In honor of this year’s Arbor Day, let’s look at how the tradition got started and why it’s still important.
What is Arbor Day?
Arbor Day is a national holiday where people plant trees – sometimes in the name of a loved one. Some states celebrate Arbor Day in different months to fit better with their climate, but at a national level it is always the last Friday in April.
Arbor Day was created by tree-lover and future U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Julius Sterling Morton. He moved to Nebraska with his wife and planted thousands of trees on his property. The first Arbor Day was celebrated on April 10, 1872 in Nebraska City, Nebraska and by 1885 it had become a legal holiday in the state. It became celebrated by every state within the next twenty years but it didn’t become a national holiday until 1970 under President Nixon. Not long after in 1972, the Arbor Day Foundation was formed to support tree planting year-round.
Why is it important?
As the Arbor Day Foundation points out, trees are incredibly important for combatting environmental issues such as climate change, food insecurity, natural disasters, and urban heat islands.
For example, strong trees and their roots can help lessen soil erosion and flooding during storms. Large trees provide shade in communities, helping keep the temperatures down. Forests act as carbon sinks to hold on to carbon dioxide and keep it out of the atmosphere.
It’s important to note that what’s even more important than planting trees is protecting what we do have, as young trees can take a long time to grow and have an impact. Planting trees is an investment in our future.
Pictured Above: UR students and Grounds crew members helped plant three new trees down by the river and the Interfaith Chapel on April 16, 2023 for UR Grassroots’ Earthfest. They also planted one today for Arbor Day.
Written by Sarah Woodams ‘24(T5)