Arbor Day is purely American in origin, and grew out of conditions unique to the American Great Plains. That part of the country is nearly treeless over much of its area, but in the mid 1800’s there was a thriving agriculture as well as a soil and a climate suitable to good tree growth. At a Nebraska State Board of Agriculture meeting in 1872, J. Sterling Morton fulfilled a longtime dream by introducing a resolution to the effect that Wednesday, the 10th day of April, 1872, be set aside for tree planting and named Arbor Day. Wide publicity was given to the plan, and more than a million trees were planted in Nebraska on that first Arbor Day. J. Sterling Morton achieved fame and prosperity in his state and nation. He served his state and country as a leader of various activities. But after all his other achievements are forgotton, one remains - the establishment of Arbor Day.

Morton loved trees for their own sake, for their beauty and for the enjoyable environment they created. He knew how important trees were in developing a pleasing home environment, and in controlling the rigors of a harsh climate. He planted the grounds of his home, “Arbor Lodge,” with rare and exotic trees from all over the world. “Arbor Lodge” is now a Nebraska state park, where the magnificent trees planted by Morton more than a century ago may be enjoyed by everyone.

The Arbor Day idea quickly spread to neighboring states. Within the next twenty years practically all the states celebrated Arbor Day by planting trees with appropriate ceremonies. In California, Arbor Day is sometimes celebrated on March 7 each year, which is also the birthdate of the famous horticulturalist Luther Burbank. Many celebrations are also held on the last Friday in April each year, which is considered National Arbor Day.

Schools have always been foremost in celebrating Arbor Day. Many parents and grandparents can remember the day when they helped plant a tree on their school grounds.In Stanislaus County, the cities of Modesto and Ceres both have Arbor Day observances scheduled this year. In Modesto, an Arbor Day celebration will be held on April 25, 1997 at James Marshall School, 515 Sutter Avenue, at 9:30 a.m. The activities in Ceres will be held at Whitmore Park at 10:00 a.m. on April 25. Both programs will include student participation, tree planting ceremonies, and “Tree City USA” presentations. Having attended these programs in the past, I can tell you they are very well done, and well worth your time.