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Arbor Day was the brainchild of Julius Sterling Morton, a Nebraska newspaperman, pioneer and avid tree planter. Pioneers moving to the treeless prairies missed the cool, green trees of home, so they made it a priority to plant trees. Arbor Day began in Nebraska in 1874, becoming an official celebration in Nebraska in 1885. By 1882, the tree planting holiday had become a nationwide event. Arbor Day was first celebrated in ��ֱ���� Territory in 1884; the 1947 South ��ֱ���� Legislature passed a law naming the last Friday in April as Arbor Day.

Planting trees prevents soil erosion, supplies oxygen rich air, gives cooling shade, can be planted to create living snow fences and to provide habitat for birds and other ��ֱ����s. Fruit and nut trees also provide food for humans and wildlife. The key to successful tree planting is finding trees that are compatible with the soil and climate in which you live. The goal of Arbor Day is “To create an awareness of the value and benefits of trees to mankind and the importance of every citizen doing his part to perpetuate and conserve this great natural resource.”  (South ��ֱ���� State University, Cooperative Extension, "" (1968). SDSU Extension Fact Sheets. 1074).