Carol Fisher-Linn
“Other holidays repose upon the past; Arbor Day proposes for the future.”–J. Sterling Morton.
Arbor Day, much like Earth Day (first celebrated in 1970), is a holiday that celebrates nature. A popular Arbor Day tradition is to plant a tree – sometimes it is a community tree, other times it is planted in the memory of a special individual, or a loved one. Earth Day focuses on environmental causes – cleaner air, water and land, climate change and pollution and their impacts.
Arbor Day is a creation of a zealous tree lover named Julius Sterling Morton (quoted above), who had a passion for planting all kinds of trees. The first Arbor Day occurred 152 years ago on April 10, 1872, in Nebraska City, Nebraska. It’s estimated that nearly one million trees were planted on that day. If those numbers remain static, then at last 152 million trees have been planted on Arbor Days since its inception. That is 504,000 acres of trees, or the equivalent to 8 of the 64,000 acre Allegany State Parks. Imagine! Combining the missions of Earth Day and Arbor Day, consider that in one year, one mature tree will absorb more than 48 pounds of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and release oxygen in exchange. Multiply that by 152 million. Forests mostly store carbon in trees and soil which is why it is so important to nurture old trees and continue to plant new ones.
country to celebrate Arbor Day. It is a worldwide
celebration, held on different days/seasons around
the globe. Arbor Day in South Korea is celebrated
annually every 5th of April to promote planting of
trees and the protection of forests. This national
celebration was fi rst established in 1946 to revive
the greens of the land which were depleted and
exploited during its colonial occupation. Though it
was only until 2005 that Arbor Day was considered
a public holiday, South Korean citizens still celebrate
this special day by taking part in tree planting
activities. Facebook: #UPArirang
What is heartening is that America is not the only country to celebrate Arbor Day. It is a worldwide celebration, held on different days/seasons around the globe. Our Canadian brothers and sisters celebrate Maple Leaf Day, which falls on the last Wednesday in September during National Forest Week. Ontario celebrates Arbor Week from the last Friday in April to the first Sunday in May. And Nova Scotia celebrates Arbor Day on the Thursday of National Forest Week. Korea calls their April celebration “Tree Loving Week,” Mexico celebrates Dia del Arbol (Day of the Tree) or National Tree Day in July. From Yemen to Togo to Scotland to New Zealand to Namibia and across the globe, trees are planted and celebrated for the huge role they play in protecting us and Mother Earth. You know, on these windy spring days, it’s awe-inspiring to observe these giant living organisms bending low, twisting, gracefully moving with the storms rather than resisting them. We could take a lesson from trees. They represent strength, life, and courage to hold firm while soaring above the fray, regardless of life’s circumstances. Certainly, a good and timely lesson for all of us in today’s social/political climate.
Surely, you have seen the signs as you enter the village of Ellicottville, announcing that we are a Tree City USA. There are well over 150 communities in the state which have earned that coveted designation from the big cities like NYC, Buffalo and Rochester to smaller cities and villages like Cuba, Lakewood, Gowanda and our beloved Ellicottville. This designation is not simply given – it must be applied for and earned.
According to the Arbor Day Foundation, sponsor of Tree City USA, any community can achieve this elite membership, it simply requires commitment. A community creates a board of people legally responsible for tree care, it establishes an ordinance that creates the board and provides clear guidance for planting and care of trees, creates a budget, and holds an event regarding and planting a tree every Arbor Day. “By passing and reciting an official Arbor Day proclamation, public officials demonstrate their support for the community tree program and complete the requirements for becoming a Tree City USA!”
That very proclamation will be delivered at the beginning of the Arbor Day celebration event held this Friday, April 26 at the Ellicottville Center/Arboretum at 11am. Of course, the public is invited. The gathering will begin with a quick annual meeting of the Board of Trustees followed by the Arbor Day Proclamation. A talk on pond management by Jake Kelly, District Manager of the Cattaraugus County Soil and Water Department will precede the planting of the 2024 tree, a black gum tree, followed by refreshments for all attendees.
The black gum tree will become another family member in a great collection of rare and exotic trees. Donations keep these grounds available to the public. Giving a tree as a gift for births, anniversaries, weddings, or special occasions will create a living memorial. Commemorative bricks can also be purchased at the Arboretum or online. info@nannenarboretum.org
Warren Buffett once said, “Someone’s sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.”
Happy Arbor Day. Go hug a tree … then hug a friend.