National Arbor Day is an observance celebrated in the United States of America that encourages tree planting and tree care. The first Arbor Day was celebrated in the state of Nebraska in 1872, in response to a state proclamation urging settlers and homesteaders in that prairie state to plant trees that would provide shade, shelter, fruit, fuel, and beauty for residents of the largely treeless plains. On that first Arbor Day, more than one million trees were planted in Nebraska's communities and on its farms.

The Arbor Day idea was promoted by J. Sterling Morton, editor of the Nebraska City News, who later helped the idea spread to neighboring states and eventually to all of the United States and many other nations.

In Florida Arbor Day is celebrated on the Third Friday in January, our best tree-planting time. If you are looking for a tree to plant, try a Cabbage Palmetto as it is our State Tree.

Tree Planting Tips:

• Find the best site for the tree; normally away from wires, your house eaves, and in full sun.
• Dig the hole wider but not deeper than the root ball.
• Fill in around the roots with water and soil.
• Add a berm of soil around the edge of the root ball to hold water.
• Water daily the first month; then as needed to keep the soil moist.
• Stake trees that may be affected by winds.
• Keep young trees pruned to a single trunk.

Tree City, Florida!

The National Arbor Day Foundation, in cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters, annually recognizes communities that effectively manage their public tree resources. Conceived in 1976, Tree City USA has blossomed into a renowned national program administered locally by state foresters using four standards to evaluate a community's commitment to their urban forest resource.

The Requirements

To receive the Tree City USA award, a community must meet four standards. It must have:

1. A tree board, commission, or municipal department that has legal responsibility for the care of public trees and has the authority to develop and administer a community tree management program.
2. A tree ordinance which identifies authority for public tree management and establishes policies for tree planting, maintenance, and removal.
3. An annual budget for administering, managing, and implementing the community forestry program of at least $2.00 per capita. Funds spent for tree care in various departments as well as volunteer labor and donated supplies and services can be included in the calculation.
4. An arbor day observance and proclamation. This can be as simple as a brief tree planting ceremony or as intricate as a week-long celebration with contests, songs, readings, media involvement, and education programs. The observance can occur at any time of the year. A proclamation by the mayor or city council must accompany the observance.

The Benefits

Communities achieving Tree City status receive a flag, a walnut mounted plaque, and special highway entrance signs proclaiming this community a Tree City USA! But the Tree City USA designation is more than a flag, signs, and a plaque. It is pride in knowing that you live in a community that cares!