by Emily Shosh, Orsi Lazar, and Suzanne Hartley
Maybe you’ve heard the adage, “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is today.” Today, we celebrate Arbor Day and hope for the future– hope that the work we do will serve air, water, soil, wildlife, and people for years to come.
Arbor Day was born in Nebraska in 1872 by politician and journalist, J. Sterling Morton, in response to a lack of trees, shade, soil protection, and windbreaks experienced by early pioneers of the area. It is estimated that the first Arbor Day resulted in nearly one million trees planted in Nebraska alone. Today, all 50 states celebrate through tree plantings, educational programs, and offering a moment of civic union throughout the country.
As we celebrate trees and the benefits they provide, we’d like to also recognize the people who make these events possible and especially those who plant and care for trees throughout the year. Few municipalities have full-time staff who take care of trees. Decisions about trees and tree work are often done by dedicated volunteers, shade tree commissions, and environmental advisory council members with various levels of knowledge and experience. The Bureau’s support of communities is essential not only for funding and professional oversight, but for sharing knowledge so newly planted trees can thrive.
If we empower communities to care for trees properly, we are planting with intention. That intentionality ensures a future where trees will provide cooling, clean air and water, physical and mental health improvements, recreational opportunities, and other benefits for generations to come. As foresters and tree professionals, we must stress the importance of effectively communicating with communities and partners and planning for those considerations so our trees can thrive.
We would like to thank everyone who supported tree plantings, provided technical assistance, and attended Arbor Day events. Your work of spreading tree knowledge, inspiring people to advocate for trees, and highlighting green industry careers can be lifechanging. Sharing your love of trees can help make sure trees are noticed, appreciated, and cared for on Arbor Day (and all other days of the year, too)!
