Happy Arbor Day! The day of tree-planting and nature appreciation is annually observed on the last Friday of April in Wisconsin . Some states observe it on different dates according to the most favorable tree-planting times.

The idea for Arbor Day came from a pioneer named J. Sterling Morton. When he moved from Detroit to Nebraska in 1854 he immediately noticed the treeless plain that was the Husker state. Morton became editor of Nebraska ’s first newspaper and quickly began spreading his enthusiasm for trees and nature in general.

Morton found an audience that missed their shade trees as much as he did. More than that, the pioneers of the day recognized that trees were need as windbreaks, fuel and building materials.

Morton first proposed the tree-planting holiday called Arbor Day in 1872. It was a rousing success as it is estimated that more than one million trees were planted in Nebraska on April 10^th, 1872. The Nebraska City News reported that festivities on the first Arbor Day included a parade and a speech by Morton. The crowd of over 1000 responded to Morton’s words with enthusiastic applause and appreciation. About the first Arbor Day, the newspaper wrote, “…to say that it was a complete success but faintly expresses it. A celebration of this kind results in good to all.”

Now go plant a tree.