Arbor Day

History of Arbor Day

The first Arbor Day was celebrated in Nebraska on April 10, 1872.   J. Sterling Morton, a pioneer and journalist championed the idea of a "tree planting holiday" in the Nebraska Territory.  J. Sterling Morton's love for trees came from his life in Michigan.  Morton's family lived in Detroit and he went to public school in Monroe, then later Albion College (Class of 1850), and the University of Michigan (Class of 1854).

It is estimated that Nebraskans planted over one million trees that first Arbor Day.  In 1885 Arbor Day was named a legal holiday in Nebraska; Morton's birthday, April 22, was selected for its permanent observance.  During the 1870's other states passed legislation to observe Arbor Day, and the tradition began in schools in 1882.  Today the most common date for state observances of Arbor Day is the last Friday in April.  There are a number of state Arbor Days at other times to coincide with the best tree-planting weather.

In 1885 the Michigan Legislature resolved "that the Governor is hereby requested to call the attention of the people of the state to the importance of planting trees for ornament and by naming a day upon which the work shall be given special attention, to be known as Arbor Day".

Until 1965, the Upper and Lower Peninsulas had separate Arbor Days in the spring because of the difference in weather conditions for tree planting.  Governor George Romney proclaimed an Arbor Week for the last week of April, 1966.  In his proclamation, Governor Romney broke with the traditional one day "Because of the increased interest in, and the importance of the statewide Keep Michigan Beautiful Program, one or two days do not afford enough time and opportunity for a full and proper observance of Arbor Day".

Each year the Governor and Michigan Legislature proclaim the last week of April as Arbor Week and Arbor Day as the Friday of that week.

Arbor Day in Rochester Hills

On Friday (Arbor Day), the division conducts an annual tree planting ceremony with the Mayor presiding and often a local scouting or youth group in attendance.  Different sites are selected each year for the Arbor Day tree - City Hall grounds, Borden, Spencer, and Avondale Parks have all been chosen in the past.  The Arbor Day tree planting ceremony is open to any interested individuals.

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