Arbor Day is a nationally celebrated observance that encourages tree planting and tree care. Founded by J. Sterling Morton in Nebraska in 1872, National Arbor Day is celebrated each year on the last Friday in April.
The St. Louis Department of Parks, Recreation and Forestry plants trees each year to celebrate Arbor Day. A tree care kiosk was unveiled at an Arbor Day celebration.
Forestry Commissioner Greg Hayes is shown above reading the Arbor Day proclamation from Mayor Francis Slay with Rob Emmett (center) from the Missouri Department of Conservation and Jamie Frank, the city's urban forester. Park Director Gary Bess is at left.
The first Arbor Day was celebrated in the state of Nebraska in 1872, in response to a state proclamation urging settlers and homesteaders in that prairie state to plant trees that would provide shade, shelter, fruit, fuel, and beauty for residents of the largely treeless plains.
On that first Arbor Day, more than one million trees were planted in Nebraska's communities and on its farms. The Arbor Day idea was promoted by J. Sterling Morton, editor of the Nebraska City News, who later helped the idea spread to neighboring states and eventually to all of the United States and many other nations.
Arbor Day celebrations are held across the country. Today, all 50 states and many Canadian provinces celebrate this holiday every spring. The actual date of Arbor Day varies from state-to-state due to climate. Many celebrations coincide with the best tree-planting weather, from January and February in the south to May in the far north. The State of Missouri holds its Arbor Day on the first Friday in April.
National Arbor Day Foundation offers a wide variety of trees, plants, and flowering bulbs at special low prices, and a free membership with each purchase. Visit the National Arbor Day Foundation web site for information on Arbor Day and the benefit of trees.
Shown below are photos of the Arbor Day tree planting and tree kiosk unveiling: Left: Parks Director Gary Bess (left) and Forestry Commissioner Greg Hayes plant a tree. Center: Greg Hayes and Forestry Division employees receive the 21st Tree City USA award. Right: Urban Foresters Jamie Frank and Christine McCarthy finish the tree planting.
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| Forestry Division | Tree Section |
Official Web Site of the City of St. Louis
This Page Last Modified:
05/19/09