There are several ways in which to measure the quality of a tree. You could go with the standards such as bark strength, longevity, root penetration, or its ability to withstand various climates and rodents.
Or you could measure the quality based on a few life lessons.
- What is the quality of strength and spacing for the branches so that exceptional speed can occur while racing up the trunk?
- How large of a shade canopy can it cast in order to host an exceptional fairy tea party?
- Will the girth of the trunk be sturdy enough for the proper placement of the Sunday afternoon nap hammock?
How Arbor Day Started
Like us, J. Sterling Morton was also a fan of nature and specifically trees. In 1872, this newspaper editor proposed a resolution to the State Board of Agriculture in Nebraska “to set aside one day to plant trees, both forest, and fruit.”
On the first Arbor Day celebration, participants were awarded a prize for planting a tree. This simple ask resulted in over one million trees planted on that inaugural observation day.
In short order, just a few decades after the initial Arbor Day, more than 45 states joined the efforts. This resulted in increased planting of trees and the education of the communities about the features and benefits of trees.
Arbor Day Versions Around the World
Today, the celebration of trees has expanded across the globe in various ways.
- India celebrates the National Festival of Tree Planting.
- On the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Shevat, Isreal celebrates Tu Bishvat or Tu B’Shevat (New Year of the Trees.)
- Korea’s extended version is called Tree-Loving Week.
This years’ celebration efforts may look a little less eventful or a little more distant, but it certainly shouldn’t stop us from finding some way to celebrate such as…
Ways to Celebrate at a Distance
- Read the classic The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein with your kids at home or via a video call with little ones farther away.
- Invest or refamiliarize yourself with a field guide specific to trees (like Peterson First Guide to Trees) so that your identification skills are sharp for your first hike after quarantine.
- Check out some incredible trees at our National Parks via their virtual visits such as Crater Lake National Park with Dierks Bentley.
- And the most exciting way to celebrate…plant a tree!
We hope that this year you have a chance to find some way to celebrate like never before – or maybe just having the time to actually celebrate!
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