Trees are Terrific!

The first Arbor Day took place on April 10, 1872 in Nebraska. The brainchild of Julius Sterling Morton, it was designed to highlight the importance of tree planting and to increase awareness of the importance of trees. Our relationship with trees has been critically important to the human species ever since distant prehistoric times. People have used trees for millions of items over thousands of years from bows and arrows to paper and particle board. 


Trees, of course, are homes to innumerable insects, plants, fungi and animals as well. And they (thankfully) "breathe in" carbon dioxide and "exhale" oxygen which all living things need to survive.


So, if you haven't hugged a tree lately, what's stopping you? This year, our National Arbor Day holiday will be celebrated on April 30th. Why not plant a seedling, take a woodland walk, or simply look up through the branches of the maple along the sidewalk and say, "thank you." For some fun kids crafts and activities, click here.