Arbor Day was first observed in Nebraska in 1872 and was founded by J. Sterling Morton. Morton encouraged the planting of trees on a specific day to replace those lost on the treeless prairie and to promote environmental stewardship. Now many countries around the world celebrate Arbor Day, holding tree planting festivals and events at different times of the year according to their climate and tree planting seasons. Dates of observation range from March to December.

1. Amir.Zerehpoosh
Arbor Day
In The World

2. About the Arbor Day
Arbor Day is an annual observance that celebrates the role of trees in our lives and
promotes tree planting and care. As a formal holiday, it was first observed in
1872, in Nebraska, but tree planting festivals are as old as civilization. The tree
has appeared throughout history and literature as the symbol of life. J. Sterling
Morton and the First Arbor Day The idea for Arbor Day in the United States
originated in Nebraska City, Nebraska. Among the pioneers moving into the
Nebraska Territory in 1854 was Julius Sterling Morton from Detroit. He and his
wife, Caroline, were lovers of nature, and the home they established in
Nebraska was quickly planted with trees, shrubs, and flowers.
Morton was a journalist and soon became editor of Nebraska’s first newspaper.

3. About the Arbor Day
Given that forum, he spread agricultural information and his enthusiasm for trees to
a receptive audience. His fellow pioneers missed their trees and needed them for
windbreaks, fuel, building materials and shade from the hot prairie sun. A visit
to Nebraska today wouldn’t disclose the state was once a treeless plain, yet it
was the lack of trees there that led to the founding of Arbor Day in the 1800s.
Morton wrote and spoke about environmental stewardship and the
interrelatedness of life. He encouraged everyone to set aside a specific day to
plant trees.
In 1872, the State Board of Agriculture accepted a resolution by J. Sterling Morton
“to set aside one day to plant trees, both forest and fruit.” The Board declared
April 10 Arbor Day and offered prizes to the counties and individuals that
properly planted the largest number of trees on that day.

4. First Arbor Day in the world
The Spanish village of Mondoñedo held the first documented arbor
plantation festival in the world organized by its mayor in 1594.
The place remains as Alameda de los Remedios and it is still
planted with lime and horsenut trees. A humble granite and a
bronze plate recalls the event. Additionally, the small Spanish
village of Villanueva de la Sierra held the first modern Arbor Day,
an initiative launched in 1805 by the local priest with the
enthusiastic support of the entire population

5. • Australia
The folks down under love to celebrate trees. The country’s
Arbor Day is in June, and National Tree Day falls on the last
weekend in July. The different regions of Australia also
celebrate Arbor Week, which occurs at varying times
throughout the year
• Brazil
In Brazil, Arbor Day (Dia da Arvore) is celebrated on
September 21. It used to be held on June 7 but was moved to
coincide with the beginning of spring in the Southern
Hemisphere. In Araras, Sao Paulo, it has been celebrated every
year since the first Festa das ’Arvores on June 7, 1902.
Around the world

6. • Canada
In Canada, Maple Leaf Day falls on the last Wednesday in
September during National Forest Week. Ontario celebrates
Arbor Week from the last Friday in April to the first Sunday in
May. And Nova Scotia celebrates Arbor Day on the Thursday
of National Forest Week.
• China
In China, Arbor Day is a public holiday on celebrated on
March 12. The date was chosen to commemorate the passing
of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, known as the father of modern China, in
1925
Around the world

7. • Canada
In Canada, Maple Leaf Day falls on the last Wednesday in
September during National Forest Week. Ontario celebrates
Arbor Week from the last Friday in April to the first Sunday in
May. And Nova Scotia celebrates Arbor Day on the Thursday
of National Forest Week.
• China
In China, Arbor Day is a public holiday on celebrated on
March 12. The date was chosen to commemorate the passing
of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, known as the father of modern China, in
1925
Around the world

8. • Iran
In Iran it is known as National Tree Planting Day. By Solar Hijri
calendar, it is on the 15th day of month Esfand which usually
corresponds with March 5.
This day is the first day of the Natural Recyclable Resources
week (March 5 to 12).
This is the time in which the saplings of the all kinds in terms of
different climates of different parts of Iran would be shared
among the people. They also are going to be taught the ways of
planting trees
• India
Van Mahotsav is an annual pan-Indian tree planting festival,
occupying a week in the month of July. During this event
millions of trees are planted. It was initiated in 1950 by K. M.
Munshi, the then Union Minister for Agriculture and Food to
create an enthusiasm in the mind of the populace for the
conservation of forests and planting of trees.
Around the world

9. • Japan
The Japanese celebrate Midori Noni (Greenery Day or
Greenery Week) in late April.
• Mexico
Mexico celebrates Dia del Arbol (Day of the Tree) or National
Tree Day in July.
• New Zealand
New Zealand celebrates Arbor Day on June 5, which is also
World Environment Day.
Around the world

10. • Spain
• Spain has Fiesta del Arbol (Tree Festival) on March 26. It is
the anniversary of the day King Alfonso planted a pine tree
near Madrid in 1895.
• United Kingdom
The United Kingdom celebrates National Tree Week at the
start of tree planting season in November. They also celebrate
National Tree Dressing Day on the first weekend in
December.
• United States of America
National Arbor Day is always celebrated on the last Friday in
April, but many states observe Arbor Day on different dates
throughout the year based on best tree planting times in their
area.
Around the world

11. • Spain
• Spain has Fiesta del Arbol (Tree Festival) on March 26. It is
the anniversary of the day King Alfonso planted a pine tree
near Madrid in 1895.
• United Kingdom
The United Kingdom celebrates National Tree Week at the
start of tree planting season in November. They also celebrate
National Tree Dressing Day on the first weekend in
December.
• United States of America
National Arbor Day is always celebrated on the last Friday in
April, but many states observe Arbor Day on different dates
throughout the year based on best tree planting times in their
area.
Around the world