Published: April 28, 2023
Just over 50 years ago, Richard Nixon, empowered by a Joint Resolution (84 Stat. 200), issued Presidential Proclamation 3980 (84 Stat. 2228) to designate the last Friday in April of 1970 as National Arbor Day.
“At a time when we as a people are becoming more concerned with the quality of our environment, it is fitting that we give more attention to the planting of trees in rural and urban communities. In crowded city streets or suburban shopping centers they stand as things of beauty and as reminders of man's inseparable link with nature.”
The first Arbor Day occurred on April 10th, 1872, in Nebraska City, Nebraska, where civilians celebrated by planting an estimated one million trees. Since then, Arbor Day has grown in popularity, and is now celebrated worldwide on the last Friday in April. A monument stands in Nebraska City to celebrate Arbor Day's origins and bears the words “Other Holidays Repose Upon The Past; Arbor Day Proposes For The Future”, which Richard Nixon quoted in his 1972 Proclamation to commemorate Arbor Day. (Sources: 86 Stat. 1628, Library of Congress )
The National Tree:
In 2004, the United States designated the “tree genus Quercus, commonly known as the oak tree” as the national tree (36 USC 305). There are approximately 435 species of oak trees in the world, and 90 species are found in North America alone. Oaks provide support to life more than any other tree genus in North America and can live for hundreds or thousands of years. (Source: National Park Service )
Additional Resources
- Explore how, since 1972, the Arbor Day Foundation continues to plant trees around the world. and learn more about identifying trees from the Arbor Day Foundation's Tree Identification Field Guide.
- Visit the U.S. National Arboretum in Washington, D.C.
- Read more about last year's 150th celebration of Arbor Day with the USDA's Forest Service.
- Explore the United States Census Bureau's key statistics related to Arbor Day.