This Arbor Day: 8 reasons to thank a tree

“Arbor Day is not like other holidays. Each of those reposes on the past, while Arbor Day proposes for the future.”
–Julius Sterling Morton

In the U.S., Arbor Day dates to 1872, when J. Sterling Morton helped plant an estimated 1 million trees in Nebraska. While Arbor Day is now celebrated nationally on the last Friday in April (April 30 this year), many states have a time designated that coincides with the optimal tree-planting conditions in that area.

Canada’s National Forest Week is the last full week in September, and various provinces have celebrations at other times of the year too.

In Germany, “Tag des Baumes” has been celebrated on April 25 for more than 60 years.

In the U.K, schools, community organizations and local authorities plant about a million trees every year during National Tree Week, usually around the end of November (November 27 – December 5, this year).

New Zealand celebrates Arbor Day on June 5, also known as World Environment Day. Activities focus on indigenous biodiversity and ecological restoration projects using native plants.

In Australia, Schools Tree Day is held on the last Friday in July, with National Tree Day on the last Sunday of that month.

In China, able-bodied citizens from ages 11 to 60 are encouraged to plant up to five trees a year or to lend a hand in cultivating trees. Chinese couples often marry the day before the annual celebration of Arbor Day on March 12 and mark the beginning of their new life together with the planting of a tree.

In Norway, the national government oversees year-round efforts to preserve forests, especially areas that harbor endangered species of animals. Today, Norway has tripled the amount of standing wood in forests compared to 100 years ago, when much of this natural resource was consumed through logging.

1. Filtering up to a third of fine particle pollutants within 300 yards of a tree.
2. Cooling city streets by 2º–4º F, reducing deaths from heat and cutting energy use.
3. Reducing rates of cardiac disease, strokes and asthmas due to improved air quality.
4. Protecting biodiversity, including habitat for migrating birds and pollinators.
5. Reducing obesity levels by increasing physical activity, including walking and cycling.
6. Managing stormwater, keeping pollutants out of waterways and reducing urban flooding.
7. Increasing neighborhood property value.
8. Reducing stress by helping interrupt thought patterns that lead to anxiety and depression.

• Early spring is a good time to plant trees. Enjoy our post on How to Plant a Tree!
• Also, watch our short video on How to Plant a Fruit Tree.
• Finally, let’s take good care of the trees that we do have! Here are pruning pointers for shrubs and trees.

• Arbor Day was almost called Sylvan Day, which means “wooded.” Several members of the Nebraska State Board of Agriculture favored it, but J. Sterling Morton argued that “sylvan” refers only to forest trees and that the name Arbor Day was most inclusive, covering forest trees and fruit trees.
• Because of their strength and great height, oak trees were considered sacred in many ancient cultures.
• The world’s biggest tree by volume is the General Sherman Tree in the Sequoia National Park at 52,508 cubic feet (1,487 cubic meters). The largest sequoias can be as tall as an average 26-story building; their diameters at the base can be wider than many city streets.
• Methusaleh, a Great Basin bristlecone pine, is the oldest non-clonal tree at 4,852 years. And the oldest of all trees is Old Tjikko, estimated to be 9,550.

It’s easy to see that trees are truly amazing—and we’re proud that the Norwex Family recognizes the importance of this global resource. Will you celebrate Arbor Day by supporting trees this year? What might that look like? Please share your plans with our readers in the Comments below. And remember: If you’re not a member of the Norwex Movement, we’d love to have you join us today as together we make small, conscious choices to improve our world.