Georgia's Arbor Day

Group Planting a Tree

Arbor Day is a day set aside for schools, civic clubs, and other organizations, as well as individuals, to reflect on the importance of trees in our state and across our nation. J. Sterling Morton, the father of Arbor Day, initiated the holiday in Nebraska in 1872. He said, "Other holidays repose upon the past; Arbor Day proposes for the future."

The first Georgia Arbor Day was proclaimed by the Georgia General Assembly in December, 1890. In 1941, the General Assembly set the third Friday in February as the day of our state Arbor Day. While National Arbor Day is the third Friday in April, it is too warm at that time of the year to plant trees in Georgia. Trees should be planted between November and mid-March so they will have a better chance of becoming established before the onset of summer heat. Visit The Georgia Grove to find out how you can plant trees to commemorate special life moments and leave a lasting legacy for future generations.

Every tree planted on Arbor Day helps clean the air and water, beautify neighborhoods, provide homes for wildlife, conserve energy, and prevent soil erosion, among many other benefits. Arbor Day gives everyone an opportunity to learn about the benefits trees provide to communities.

Tim Womick, known to many as the modern day Johnny Appleseed and often referred to as simply "the tree guy," will be performing his Trail of Trees at elementary, middle and high school Arbor Day celebrations throughout the state during the week leading up to Georgia's Arbor Day. For more information about a Trail of Trees performance contact us.

2008 Arbor Day  Celebration


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