Arbor Day is a day in which individuals and groups are encouraged to plant and care for trees. It is usually observed in the spring, on the fourth Friday in April. So, we should all observe this day, tomorrow, April 28, 2017.

The first American Arbor Day was originated in Nebraska City, Nebraska, by J. Sterling Morton, on April 10, 1872, with an estimated one million trees planted in Nebraska.

On April 15, 1907, President Roosevelt issued an “Arbor Day Proclamation to the School Children of the United States” about the importance of trees and that forestry deserves to be taught in U.S. schools. I clearly remember observing this day at school when we would plant a tree and someone would recite the poem “What do we get when we plant the tree?” we plant the ship which will cross the sea; we plant the pencils to scribble our notes, we plant the ballots to cast our votes; we plant the paper in which we read the news that o’er wooden poles we speed, we plant the piles to erect our docks, we plant the rayon for shirts and socks.

What do we plant when we plant a tree? We plant the houses for you and me; we plant the rafters, the shingles, the floors, we plant the studding, the lath, the doors, the beams and siding, all the parts that be; we plant the house when we plant the tree. We plant the barrel, the box, and the crate in which to ship all sorts of freight.

What do we plant when we plant a tree? A thousand things that we daily see, we plant the spire that out-towers the rugged cliff, we plant the staff for our country’s flag; we plant the shade from the hot sun free, we plant all these when we plant the tree.

We can help beautify Greenville City Park by making a donation for a tree. Check out cityofgreenville.org website and click on forms. Scroll down to Park Department and you will see tree donor application.

Greenville City Street Superintendent, Ryan Delk commented, “We collect donations all year and then plant them in the fall. There is a donor wall on the side of the main restrooms located in the park that we attach a leaf shaped plaque for donors and in memory of.”

Trees to select from would be Armstrong Maple, Red Sunset, October Glory, Sugar Maple, Red Oak and Golden Willow, White Horse Chestnut, Espresso Kentucky Coffee, Yellow Buckeye, Ohio Buckeye, Winter King Hawthorn, Saw tooth Oak, Red Bud, and Tri Color Beech.

We urge individuals to check out the website, print off the application, and make your selection. Checks can be mailed to the City of Greenville, 100 Public Square, Greenville OH 45331. For any questions or for more information contact the Greenville Street Department at 937-548-2215. They do the work – you get the pleasure.

What a great tribute or memorial to plant a tree for someone, for a family, and for everyone to enjoy for years to come.