The tradition of planting trees on Arbor Day dates back to 1872 in Nebraska. Julius Sterling Morton, vice-president of the Nebraska State Board of Agriculture, proposed that a day be set aside in his state for planting trees. The Nebraska Board approved his proposal, and newspapers began promoting the event.
On that first Arbor Day, April 10, 1872, over one million trees were planted in Nebraska. The idea of having a special day to plant trees quickly caught on with other states; and within twenty years, all states were celebrating Arbor Day on April 22, which was Morton’s birthday. In 1970, President Nixon changed Arbor Day to the last Friday. April 25th is this year’s Arbor Day.
Arbor Day is summarized by a quote from Nelson Henderson that states, “The true meaning of life is to plant trees under whose shade you do not expect to sit.” With each tree planted on Arbor Day, an investment in our environment is made that will benefit future generations.
If your garden club plants trees in your town for Arbor Day, please write a blog and send it and at least one photo (give photographer’s name) to azgardenblog@gmail.com. Our AFGC members would love to hear about your club’s Arbor Day planting.
Photo 1 Scottsdale Garden Club
Garden clubs have a long history of donating trees planted in their community parks on Arbor Day.
Photo 2 Karen Bowen
Members from Yuma’s garden clubs donated trees planted in a local park on Arbor Day.
