We are celebrating Georgia Arbor Day on Friday, Feb. 15. If you love and appreciate trees as we do, then please join us in celebration of trees this week by planting a tree and increasing our community tree canopy.
Arbor Day originated in Nebraska City, Neb., on April 10, 1872. J. Sterling Morton, who served as President Grover Cleveland's Secretary of Agriculture, was the founder of Arbor Day. Morton had the idea for Arbor Day because he thought there were not enough trees in Nebraska. On that first Arbor Day, there were approximately 1 million trees planted, which we think is incredible! On April 22, 1885, Arbor Day became a legal holiday in Nebraska, the state where it originated. One thousand children formed a parade on that day.
Twenty years later, every state in America celebrated Arbor Day, aside from Delaware. Delaware eventually joined the Arbor Day celebrations. This holiday is meant to encourage people, whether in groups or as individuals, to plant and care for trees. From its beginnings in Nebraska, Arbor Day has grown to become a recognized holiday in many countries around the world. Birdsey Northrop was chairman of the committee to introduce Arbor Day around the world. He was the first to introduce it to Japan and introduce the Japanese to Arbor Day in 1883. In 1970, President Richard Nixon declared the last Friday in April to be Arbor Day.
Arbor Day was almost named Sylvan Day. Arbor Day was chosen because arbor represented forest and fruit trees (arbor means tree in Latin) while sylvan only represented forest trees. The National Arbor Day Foundation held a vote for America's favorite tree in 2004. The mighty oak won by a landslide, earning 101,000 votes. America's National Tree is now the oak. It is also Georgia’s State tree. The date that a country or state celebrates its own Arbor Day can vary, depending on the planting season and climate. That is why here in Georgia we celebrate our Arbor Day on the third Friday in February.
Trees and a healthy tree canopy in our community certainly improve our quality of life. This Arbor Day, we will be celebrating trees by providing a limited number of trees for planting. Our goal is to encourage as many local citizens to help us grow our tree canopy.
We invite local citizens, schools, businesses, churches, civic and youth groups to select a free tree and plant it for Arbor Day! (One tree per household or group!). To reserve your tree go online to www.signupgenius.com and search: klcb@libertycountyga.com between Feb.4-8 while supplies last.
Arbor Day Tree Pick-Up Days:
Friday, Feb. 15, 9 a.m. until noon at Farmers Natural Foods.
Saturday, Feb. 16, 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. at The Recycle It! Fairs
Locations:
- Liberty County Health Department, 1113 East Oglethorpe Highway
- Midway Community Complex, 9397 East Oglethorpe Highway, Midway
- Walthourville City Hall, 222 Busbee Drive, Walthourville
Help us expand our tree canopy in our towns and cities and neighborhoods by planting trees this Arbor Day. For more information contact us at 912-880-4888 or email klcb@libertycountyga.com or check out our website at www.keeplibertybeautiful.org. Happy Arbor Day!