National Arbor Day

A holiday planted in Nebraska

National Arbor Day traces to 1872, when a Nebraska newspaperman and tree lover named J. Sterling Morton proposed a day devoted entirely to planting trees. The idea took root on the largely treeless plains, and by most accounts a great many trees were planted in Nebraska on that first Arbor Day. The observance spread across the country and eventually settled on the last Friday of April as its national date, though many states hold their own versions to match local planting seasons. Few holidays have such a simple, hopeful mission: put more trees in the ground.

Plant one well

The heart of the day is obvious, but planting a tree well takes a little care. Choose a native species suited to your climate and the space you have, then think about its full-grown size before you dig. Look up for power lines and consider what lies below for utilities, and give the mature canopy and roots room to spread. Dig the hole wide rather than deep, set the tree so its root flare sits at soil level, and backfill gently. A tree planted with its future size in mind saves decades of pruning battles and heaving sidewalks.

Help it survive

A newly planted tree’s greatest enemy is drought in its first two or three years, before its roots reach deep. Give it a slow, deep soak once a week rather than frequent shallow sprinkles, and ring it with a few inches of mulch to hold moisture and suppress weeds. Keep that mulch pulled back from the trunk, though; piled against the bark it invites rot and pests. A little attention through those early summers is the difference between a sapling that struggles and one that thrives for generations.

The true meaning of life is to plant trees under whose shade you do not expect to sit.

Care for the ones you have

You do not need bare ground to celebrate Arbor Day. Mature trees deliver by far the most shade, habitat, and cooling, so protecting the ones already standing matters as much as planting new ones. Mulch them, prune deadwood, and keep string trimmers and mowers away from their bark, which is easily and permanently damaged. If you lack space of your own, a sapling given as a gift or a donation to plant trees in someone’s honor is a present that literally grows. However you mark it, Arbor Day is a rare holiday whose whole purpose is to leave the world a little greener than you found it.

How to celebrate

1. 1
   Plant a tree

   The whole point of the day is right there in its history. Choose a native species suited to your climate and space, dig a wide hole, and set it at the right depth. One well-placed shade tree can cool a home for generations.

2. 2
   Right tree, right place

   Before you dig, look up. Check for power lines above and utility lines below, and give the mature canopy room to spread. A tree planted with its full-grown size in mind avoids decades of headaches.

3. 3
   Water through the first summers

   A young tree's biggest risk is drought in its first two or three years. Give it a deep, slow soak weekly rather than frequent sprinkles. A ring of mulch, kept off the trunk, holds moisture in.

4. 4
   Care for the trees you have

   You do not need bare ground to celebrate. Mulch your existing trees, prune deadwood, and skip string-trimmer damage to the bark. Mature trees deliver the most benefit, so protect them.

5. 5
   Give trees as gifts

   A sapling or a donation to plant trees in someone's honor is a gift that literally grows. Many arboretums and nurseries sell young native trees each spring. It beats another gadget.