Photos from students in COMM 1318 Photography 1. Feature photo by Jaylee Parker.
National Arbor Day is celebrated each year on the last Friday in April. It’s a day dedicated to planting and appreciating trees.
While it’s not a federal holiday, the Arbor Day Foundation explains many communities host volunteer events, have tree-planting ceremonies, and support educational activities for the big day.
But Arbor Day is not actually observed on the same day in April around the globe or even in all 50 states. It turns out different communities around the world observe the day on different dates depending on their planting season.
Here in Texas, Arbor Day is observed in the fall.
South Plains College Biology Department Chair and botany instructor Kristin Bingham says the Texas A&M Forest Service helped shift the date in 2013. So now, here in the Lone Star State, it is always recognized on the first Friday of November. This year, Texas Arbor Day falls on Nov. 6.
“Shifting the date to November means that trees being planted have months of mild winter weather to acclimate and establish themselves well before the intense summer heat sets in,” she says. “This ensures better survival of the trees and sustainability of the impact and investment.”
Texas isn’t the only state that’s shifted the date from April to something else. The Arbor Day Foundation lists when Arbor Day is recognized in each state and around the globe.
The same site offers lots of information about how to show your green, get involved, and learn how to plant your own trees.
It may not be planting season here yet, but it’s not too soon to start planning.
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