National Arbor Day is this Friday, April 27th. Arbor Day was proposed by J. Sterling Morton in Nebraska in 1872. Morton as a transplant to Nebraska missed trees and started a personal crusade to plant trees. Farmers liked the concept of planting trees because trees were a natural defense against the wind for newly planted crops. The first Arbor Day or tree planting day was April 10, 1872 and on that day more than 1 million trees were planted in Nebraska.
In 1885, it was made a legal holiday in that state and recognized on Morton's birthday, April 22. Nationally it is celebrated on the last Friday in April, although some states choose a date that is best for planting. Florida’s Arbor Day is the 3rd Friday in January, which is an opportune time to plant in north Florida. Many South Florida Cities wait and celebrate Arbor Day in April since it is closer to the start of the rainy season.
You can find more in information on Arbor Day at the National Arbor Day Foundation.
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In 1885, it was made a legal holiday in that state and recognized on Morton's birthday, April 22. Nationally it is celebrated on the last Friday in April, although some states choose a date that is best for planting. Florida’s Arbor Day is the 3rd Friday in January, which is an opportune time to plant in north Florida. Many South Florida Cities wait and celebrate Arbor Day in April since it is closer to the start of the rainy season.
You can find more in information on Arbor Day at the National Arbor Day Foundation.
Email Comments and Questions
Gene Dempsey, City Forester
Environmental Services
Office - (954) 828-7704 Fax - (954) 828-7897
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