This coming Friday, April 27, 2012, is Arbor Day. J. Sterling Morton, the father of Joy Morton (founder of the Morton Arboretum in Lisle, IL), is the founding father of Arbor Day. Morton and his family moved to Nebraska in 1854, at that time Nebraska was a newly developed territory. Morton had a strong fascination of trees, and endeavored to encourage tree planting across the state in order to attract people to the state. In 1872, he proposed to make April 10th Arbor Day and his proposal was accepted. It has been said that on that day in 1872, Nebraskans planted one million trees. In 1885, Nebraska declared Morton’s birthday, April 22, Arbor Day. It is a recognized Holiday in all 50 states and many countries throughout the world. The day of observance varies by region, dependent upon the best time of the year to plant trees in that region.
So this Friday on Arbor Day, try to carry out J Sterling Morton’s legacy and plant a tree for Arbor Day, or visit the Morton Arboretum in Lisle and enjoy the beauty and splendor of trees.
Happy Arbor Day from us here at Kramer Tree Specialists!