Happy Arbor Day! What started as a day to celebrate planting trees on April 10, 1874, has led to an estimated over 500 million planted trees.

 

According to the Farmers Almanac, Arbor Day became what it is today because of Julius Sterling Morton, a Nebraskan journalist and the U.S. Agriculture Secretary under President Grover Cleveland championing for a day dedicated to planting trees.

Meanwhile, the Arbor Day Foundation says that the celebration is a way to promote a better tomorrow by "planting a tree represents a belief that the tree will grow to provide us with clean air and water, cooling shade, habitat for wildlife, healthier communities, and endless natural beauty - all for a better tomorrow." While the celebration became an official day in 1874 in Nebraska, Arbor Day was named a legal holiday in Nebraska and April 22 was selected as the official date. Since then, all 50 U.S. states and many countries around the world celebrate. While the celebration is always held on the last Friday in April however, many states observe on different dates based on the best time to plant trees.

So while spring is in full bloom, join a tree planting event, take a continuing education accredited class (like one we offer through LandscapeWebinars.org), donate to a tree related organization, or volunteer, whatever you choose, choose trees.