North Carolina's Arbor Day

A day is set aside each year in North Carolina, as in many other states, to show just how much trees are appreciated. In 1967 the state legislature ratified a bill stating in part "Whereas, it is desirable that the planting of seedlings and flowering shrubs be encouraged to promote the beautification and conservation of the vast and varied resources of North Carolina, and whereas the designation of a particular day each year as Arbor Day would encourage and draw attention to a concerted effort by North Carolinians to beautify and conserve the state's resources by planting young trees and shrubs." Arbor Day in North Carolina has been designated as the first Friday following March 15.

All across the state, communities, schools and individuals are celebrating Arbor Day in unique and exciting ways. For example, the City of Statesville has combined Arbor Day and Earth Day with a Children's Festival, which features crafts, storytelling and live music, live animals, free trees to take home and a tree planting ceremony.

The Town of Cary combines its Arbor Day celebration with their Spring Daze Arts and Crafts Festival. The festival is filled with wonderful arts and crafts, food, community based civic groups handing out information on things residents can get involved with, entertainment, and activities for children.

One of North Carolina's newest Tree City USA communities, the Town of Indian Trail is offering workshops on basic tree care and drought resistant landscaping as part of its Arbor Day celebration. The celebration will also include announcement of the poetry contest winners, presentation of their first Tree City USA award and a tree planting.

How to Celebrate Arbor Day
When it comes to celebrating Arbor Day, the possibilities are endless; from a small ceremony with a local school to a community-wide celebration. Listed below are just a few ideas for celebrating Arbor Day.

• Hold an Arbor Day celebration to honor environmental stewards in your community. Honor people or businesses who have initiated projects like establishing a tree planting or recycling program. Seek nominations from the community.
• Organize a "Big Tree" search within the community. Once the results are in, publish a brochure that lists the locations of the winners. Present the owners of the trees with a certificate at the celebration and conduct a walking tour.
• Ask the mayor to issue an Arbor Day Proclamation declaring tree planting as an act of stewardship. Recognize Tree Board members and city staff that help care for and maintain the community's trees. Plan the celebration around the proclamation and include poems, stories, quotes about trees, and a tree planting.
• Encourage fifth grade classes to participate in the Arbor Day Poster Contest. Display the posters at the celebration or print the winning poster on tee-shirts that are given to attendees.
• Host a workshop on proper tree planting, pruning and mulching, tree selection, and tree identification. Charge a small fee and use the money to purchase seedlings for the participants.
• Choose a park or downtown area that needs cleaning up and encourage residents to participate in a litter pick-up. Invite certified arborists to assist with pruning trees in the area, have school groups replace mulch around trees or plant flowers.

More ideas for celebrating Arbor Day can be found in the Celebrate Arbor Day Guidebook from the National Arbor Day Foundation.