Arbor Day: a good time to plant a tree

From left volunteers Jacqulyn Smith, John Alden and Whitney Junker plant a tree in honor of Arbor Day.

Arbor Day was celebrated at UAF May 13 with the planting of a chokecherry (Prunus virginiana) tree near the Lola Tilly Commons.

The Resource Management Society, a student club focused on natural resources management, purchased the tree and volunteers planted it. Arbor Day has been celebrated in Alaska since 1966. It is held later here than other states due to the climate.

Doctoral Candidate Kimberley Maher explained at the gathering that Arbor Day originated in Nebraska when Julius Sterling Morton decided the prairie would greatly benefit from the planting of trees. Morton is known as the "father of Arbor Day."

Using his background in agriculture and his journalism career, Morton expounded the use of new farming technologies. When Nebraska gained statehood in 1867 he was appointed to the State Board of Agriculture, where he proposed a special day to encourage tree planting. A prize would be offered to the person who planted the most trees. On the first Arbor Day, April 10, 1872, over 1 million trees were planted in Nebraska.

In 1970 Arbor Day became a national event, celebrated across the country with not only tree plantings, but pageants, displays and talks on the value of trees. An important aspect of Arbor Day is the opportunity to educate the public about the ecological and economic value of trees.