By Andi Sedlacek, DNR Communications Director
Andrea.Sedlacek@wisconsin.gov or 608-228-3032
*To read more articles like this, check out the Wisconsin Natural Resources magazine online.
A simple idea, to celebrate planting trees, and it’s grown into a national holiday: Arbor Day.
Arbor Day’s roots began in the late 1800s in Nebraska where, according to the Arbor Day Foundation, residents of Nebraska City felt a lack of trees in their community. The secretary of the Nebraska Territory at the time, J. Sterling Morton, proposed a statewide tree-planting holiday, and on April 10, 1872, the first Arbor Day was celebrated.
Part of that initial celebration included prizes for counties and individuals who properly planted the largest number of trees on that day, resulting in an estimated 1 million or more trees being planted.
Arbor Day observances quickly sprouted from there. By 1920, more than 45 states and territories were celebrating Arbor Day, including Wisconsin. Today, it is observed in all 50 states and in countries around the world, making Arbor Day a truly global effort.
The Arbor Day Foundation estimates tens of millions of trees are planted each year in honor of Arbor Day, with more than 500 million trees planted in celebration of the holiday in the past 50 years!
Wisconsin Celebrates
In the Badger State, Arbor Day was first observed in 1883 and continues to be celebrated here every year on the last Friday in April. It coincides with Forest Appreciation Week in Wisconsin, which runs from Earth Day to Arbor Day each year.
In 1980, Arbor Day became one of the 21 Wisconsin Public School Observance Days, special days dedicated to teaching the elements of tradition that preserve U.S. society and foster an awareness of our cultural heritage. Observance Days are enacted by Wisconsin state statute.
Arbor Day has always been important to the DNR. Every year, part of the agency’s celebration includes offering free tree seedlings to every fourth-grade student in the state.
“This program enables us to bring forest education directly to the hands of students and teach them about the importance of trees and of managing and growing our forests,” said Heather Berklund, the DNR’s chief state forester.
DNR state nurseries provide about 50,000 free seedlings to fourth graders each year. They’re delivered to homeschoolers, handed out in classrooms, and tucked into students’ backpacks to take home (protected to keep the backpacks clean). Students also get information on how to plant and care for the seedlings and the trees they’ll grow into.
These trees often become living family legacies in yards across the state. And they go a long way toward helping with Gov. Tony Evers’ recent executive order goal of 100 million new trees planted in Wisconsin by 2030 as a way to promote environmental justice, tackle climate change and protect clean air, clean water and abundant wildlife habitat.
The Wisconsin State Park System also celebrates Arbor Day every year, with tree-planting events, hikes and tree talks at state parks, forests and recreation areas. Just like trees, Arbor Day celebrations keep on growing!
Learn More
Add Your Arbor Day Event Or Find One Near You
Arbor Day this year will be observed in Wisconsin on April 25. To find an Arbor Day event near you, visit the DNR’s Events calendar.
Spread the word about your celebration by adding your event to the Arbor Day Foundation webpage, or search the Arbor Day Foundation events page to find an event near you. The National Arbor Day Foundation site also provides information on the history of Arbor Day, youth education resources and more.
Contribute To Wisconsin’s Trillion Trees Pledge
Landowners and homeowners can contribute to Wisconsin’s Trillion Tree Pledge with a goal of planting 1 million trees in Wisconsin’s cities and villages by 2030. Complete the Wisconsin Tree Planting Survey to have your trees counted.
Learn the best planting methods to give your tree the greatest chance for success. Check out the DNR Tree Planting Resources webpage for instructions on how to plant a tree properly.
Treesaregood.org includes a tree owner information page with printable brochures and a tree owner’s manual.
The Minnesota DNR has eye-catching, printable planting brochures and videos available on their website.
Check out the Wisconsin Urban Tree Key. This information sheet identifies the 64 most commonly found trees in Wisconsin communities. Additional tree identification tools can be found on the DNR Tree Identification webpage.
Visit the DNR Arbor Day webpage to find fun activities to do with your family or share with your community. The website includes printable activity pages, brochures and links to additional resources.