God has cared for these trees, saved them from drought, disease, avalanches, and a thousand tempests and floods.  But he cannot save them from fools.  ~John Muir

Arbor Day Poem
author unknown

We have come with joyful greeting,
Songs of gladness, voices gay,
Parents, friends, and happy children,
All to welcome Arbor Day.
Here we plant the trees whose branches,
Warmed by breath of summer days,
Nourished by the dews and showers,
Soon shall wave in leafy sprays.

Let us plant throughout our borders,
O'er our lands so far and wide,
Treasures from the leafy forest,
Vale, and hill, and mountain side ;

Rooted deep, oh let them flourish,
Sturdy giants may they be !
Emblems of the cause we cherish —
Education broad and free.

Gentle winds will murmur softly,
Zephyrs float on noiseless wing;
'Mid their boughs shall thrush and robin,
Build their nests and sweetly sing.
'Neath their shady arms will childhood
Weary of the nootide heat,
In its cool inviting shadow,
Find a pleasant, safe retreat.

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Origins of Arbor Day

In many countries it has long been the tradition to hold an annual tree or forest festival. The origin of such celebrations dates back to antiquity and is in the dawn of religious feeling and awe for what trees represented. However, Arbor Day, as it is commonly known today, is of American origin and evolved from conditions peculiar to the Great Plains. It was first observed in Nebraska in 1872.

The idea, conceived by J.S. Morton, then a member of the Nebraska State Board of Agriculture, was one of forest conservation. It was a move to promote replanting, following deforestation, and to plant up treeless areas. The idea has spread widely to other lands where it is variously celebrated as the 'Festival of Trees', 'Greening Week' of Japan, 'The New Year's Days of Trees' in Israel, 'The Tree-loving Week' of Korea, 'The Reforestation Week' of Yugoslavia, 'The Students' Afforestation Day' of Iceland and 'The National Festival of Tree Planting' in India. Arbor Day in its various forms is now recognized in more than fifty countries.

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Importance of Arbor Day

On Arbor Day, particular attention is drawn to the part trees play in our lives. It's not just a day to plant trees and then forget the gesture for another twelve months. Planting a tree one day is no credit to us if, during the rest of the year, we neglect to care for it and those already growing. Our thought on Arbor Day should be an expression of enduring feeling, thought and action and not just one single, isolated flame of interest.

In schools and other community groups, this day can be celebrated in many different ways.

• By planting trees or shrubs in school grounds, along neighboring streets or in civic parks.
• By 'adopting' a patch of bush, with the landowner's consent, and caring for it by removal of weeds, rubbish, etc, by preparing firebreaks and by fencing and making paths to reduce trampling.
• By presenting a play or mime about trees in the history of Australia.
• By completing a project about certain types of trees (eg. jarrah, boab, karri) or a famous tree like the Gloucester Tree near Pemberton.
• As a class activity or common interest group, go on a visit to a bush area with a spokesperson to explain the characteristics of plant species and their niche in the natural environment.
• Collect some tree seeds, germinate them in a classroom, and plant out the seedling.
• Carry out identification of trees in a specific part of your school or neighborhood. A tree labeling ceremony could also be arranged.
• Compile a list of everyday objects that are made of wood or wood-based materials, and find out how the wood was processed, where it came from and whatever else you can.

Trees and shrubs, whether native or introduced to WA, provide opportunities for the interest and study by the whole community, and when we walk around our own neighborhood or drive through the countryside, we can appreciate the importance of such a diversity of plants to the well being of humanity.

Special Thanx to: http://www.calm.wa.gov.au/forest_facts/arbor_day.html