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In many countries it has long
been the tradition to hold an annual tree or forest festival. The origin of such
celebrations dates back to antiquity and is in the dawn of religious feeling and
awe for what trees represented. However, Arbor Day, as it is commonly known
today, is of American origin and evolved from conditions peculiar to the Great
Plains.
The first Arbor Day took place on April 10, 1872 in Nebraska. It was the
brainchild of Julius Sterling Morton (1832-1902), a Nebraska journalist and
politician originally from Michigan. Throughout his long and productive career,
Morton worked to improve agricultural techniques in his adopted state and
throughout the United States when he served as President Grover Cleveland's
Secretary of Agriculture. But his most important legacy is Arbor Day.
Morton (photo, right) felt that Nebraska's landscape and economy would benefit
from the wide-scale planting of trees. He set an example himself planting
orchards, shade trees and wind breaks on his own farm and he urged his
neighbours to follow suit. Morton's real opportunity, though, arrived when he
became a member of Nebraska's state board of agriculture. He proposed that a
special day be set aside dedicated to tree planting and increasing awareness of
the importance of trees. Nebraska's first Arbor Day was an amazing success. More
than one million trees were planted. A second Arbor Day took place in 1884 and
the young state made it an annual legal holiday in 1885, using April 22nd to
coincide with Morton's birthday.
In the years following that first Arbor Day, Morton's idea spread beyond
Nebraska with Kansas, Tennessee, Minnesota and Ohio all proclaiming their own
Arbor Days. Today all 50 states celebrate Arbor Day although the dates may vary
in keeping with the local climate. (State Arbor Days) At the federal level, in
1970, President Richard Nixon proclaimed the last Friday in April as National
Arbor Day. Arbor Day is also now celebrated in other countries including
Australia. Variations are celebrated as 'Greening Week' of Japan, 'The New
Year's Days of Trees' in Israel, 'The Tree-loving Week' of Korea, 'The
Reforestation Week' of Yugoslavia, 'The Students' Afforestation Day' of Iceland
and 'The National Festival of Tree Planting' in India. Julius Sterling Morton
would be proud. Sometimes one good idea can make a real difference.
For the homeowner, Arbor Day is an excellent opportunity to take stock of the
trees on your property and plan for the future. Inspect your trees. Note any
broken branches or evidence of disease or insect infestation. Think about how
planting new trees might improve the look of your property or provide wind or
heat protection. Take a trip to your local nursery to see what's available and
to get new ideas. Walk around your neighbourhood. Are there any public areas
where tree planting or tree maintenance might make a real difference to your
community? Talk with your neighbours. Find out what their opinions are. And, oh
yes, plant a tree. |
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