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Arbor Day in Michigan

In honor of Arbor Day, the Detroit Free Press has a slew of reader stories about the importance of trees in their lives (be sure to click the link for more stories).

According to the Michigan Arbor Day Alliance: The first Arbor Day was celebrated in Nebraska on April 10, 1872. In 1885, the Michigan Legislature resolved "that the Governor is hereby requested to call the attention of the people of the state to the importance of planting trees for ornament and by naming a day upon which the work shall be given special attention to be known as Arbor Day. Until 1965, the Upper and Lower Peninsula had separate Arbor Days in the spring because of the difference in weather conditions for tree planting.

Governor George Romney proclaimed an Arbor Week for the last week in April 1966. In his proclamation, Governor Romney broke with the traditional one day, "Because of the increased interest in and the importance of the statewide 'Keep Michigan Beautiful' program, one or two days do not afford enough time and opportunity for a full and proper observance of Arbor Day."

Read THE ROOTS OF LIFE: Readers share fond memories about trees in the Freep
Michigan Arbor Day Alliance web site
Businesses and articles at keyword "tree"
Also check out this cool Mixed Media: Tree photo by Matt Callow

Posted/updated Apr 28, 2006
by Andrew McFarlane (Absolute Michigan)