We have many holidays in the United States, some more “popular” than others but not necessarily more important. For instance, I’m not sure what “National Fun Day (April 1st)” is all about but I do know that Arbor Day, although falling into the “obscure” category, is a very important holiday.
Arbor Day was first celebrated in Nebraska in 1872 and quickly grew to be a national and international holiday. The purpose of the day is to raise awareness about trees and the important role they play in our environment. Arbor Day is celebrated on different dates around the world, depending on local seasons and temperatures, because one of the activities of Arbor Day is planting trees. In much of the United States, Arbor Day is celebrated on the last Friday of April.
Although Arbor Day has been celebrated for over 100 years, its relevance today is as strong as it was when the day was first celebrated. When people wonder ‘why is Arbor Day important’ they only have to look at deforestation and urban sprawl and the impact they have had on the environment. Trees can no longer be taken for granted and it is important that we become educated about the important role they play in our environment to be able to fully appreciate them.
There are many organizations such as The Arbor Day Foundation and the International Society of Arboriculture that help individuals and groups take part in Arbor Day; this can include support for schools and youth groups. Planting trees is obviously an important part of Arbor Day – if you cannot plant a tree on your own property, many groups organize tree planting events. Another way of supporting Arbor Day is by learning more about the use of products that are derived from trees, such as wood and paper, and understanding how these bi-products can be created and managed in a sustainable way.
At ArborTech we take Arbor Day seriously. Every year we donate our time and knowledge to various Arbor Day projects and programs to assist and educate the public on the importance of trees in our local community. Whether it’s giving a presentation at a local school or planting public shade trees, we strive to meet our moral obligation as professional Arborists on this important day. As obscure holidays go, Arbor Day, in my opinion, is one of the most important. By understanding and appreciating the role trees play in our environment, we can all do our part towards adding, maintaining, and preserving trees.
Happy Arbor Day from ArborTech Tree Services!