THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 2017

Tomorrow Is Arbor Day, Everybody!

We hope you didn’t forget, because National Arbor Day is observed each year on the last Friday in April as a holiday in which individuals and groups are encouraged to plant and care for trees.

Hurley the Historian says on April 10, 1872, journalist and newspaper editor J. Sterling Morton established Arbor Day in the state of Nebraska with hopes that it would spread across the country. This first Arbor Day challenged the people of Nebraska who were pioneers and missed the trees and forests of the east. The challenge was to plant as many trees as they possibly could. The citizens of Nebraska answered the challenge by planting more than 1 million trees that first Arbor Day.

Trees provide vital protection for the Earth’s topsoil from erosion, oxygen, and homes for wildlife. They also are a renewable resource that provides a variety of materials for building, fuel and office supplies. Trees beautify our environment, provide shade on a sunny day and improve our quality of life. And National Arbor Day celebrates all these things and aims for American generations to come to enjoy all the benefits trees have to offer.

The International Business Times says you don’t have to be a tree-hugger to appreciate trees or to celebrate Arbor Day today. They shade us from the sun, feed us fruit and nuts, fill our lungs with oxygen, and increase the value of our homes and so much more. So take a few minutes to learn more about the trees around you and how to give your thanks to them with these facts, quotes and ideas for Arbor Day activities.

Did You Know?

A mature tree on your property can add between $1,000 and $10,000 to the value of your home, depending on its size and condition.

One acre of forest absorbs six tons of carbon dioxide per year, putting out four tons of oxygen. That’s enough oxygen annually to support 18 people.

Trees properly placed around buildings can slash air conditioning needs by 30 percent and can save 20 to 30 percent in energy used for heating.

Planting trees translates to improved water quality, reduced stormwater runoff and less erosion. Wooded areas help prevent sediment and chemicals from flowing into streams.

Our Quote for Today Committee chose Thomas Jefferson’s “The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.” None of that mushy stuff for those guys!

One thing Arbor Day is not is a really big day for the Greeting Card Industry. The ones we’ve seen are pretty crappy, and anyway, you have to kill trees to make the cards.

Finally, Arbor Day isn’t a very good day for jokes either. Did you hear the joke about Arbor Day?… It’ll leaf you laughing! Did you hear the joke about the oak tree?… It’s acorny one! What is a tree’s least favorite month?… Sep-timber! Our late night TV Comedians probably won’t be telling a lot of Arbor Day jokes tonight.