Postcard from the Past: Arbor Day
An attempt was made at the last legislature to eliminate Arbor Day holidays and add Labor Day and Armistice Day from the list of Wyoming’s legal holidays, but it was unsuccessful. As to the latter being made a legal holiday, it will probably be done later, but to discontinue Arbor Day would be taking away one of the greatest factors which help to colonize, develop and beautify the state.
Parts of Wyoming are heavily wooded and need no artificial forestry, but there are stretches of country where not a tree may be seen for miles and miles.
There are also towns in the state which are treeless and barren, but the general public is interested in planting trees and shrubs in making this great state of ours so attractive and comfortable the traveler passing through will be glad he came this way and may perhaps return to pitch his tent and stay.
Every tree in the City Park of Cheyenne, our capital city, has been planted by the citizens of the town – many of the trees having been planted on various Arbor Days. This park is like an oasis in the desert to hundreds of tourists traveling either the Lincoln Highway or the Yellowstone Trail. In addition, all of the city residents enjoy the shade and shelter.
Arbor Day exercises in the schools impress upon the minds of children the great value of planting trees and shrubs and also gives them a sacred regard for the trees when they realize with what care they must be grown.
A recent newspaper editorial article advocated the planting of a tree for every man who fell in the World War fighting under the stars and stripes. Such living monuments scattered throughout our land would be wonderful tributes to our soldiers and sailors.
This inspiring article was swiped from a column in the May 1922 issue of the Wyoming Stockman-Farmer. The column, entitled “In the Home Circle,” was edited by noted Wyoming Author Agnes Wright-Spring.
A search of the internet gave the following information.
Arbor Day, which literally translates to “tree” day from the Latin origin of the word “_arbo_r,” is a holiday which celebrates the planting, upkeep and preservation of trees. For centuries, communities spanning the globe have found various ways to honor nature and the environment.
The origins of Arbor Day in the U.S. date back to the early 1870s in Nebraska City, Neb.
A journalist by the name of Julius Sterling Morton moved to the state with his wife Caroline in 1854, a little more than 10 years before Nebraska gained its statehood in 1867. The couple purchased 160 acres in Nebraska City and planted a wide variety of trees and shrubs in what was primarily a flat stretch of desolate plain.
Morton also became the editor of the state’s first newspaper, the Nebraska City News, which was a perfect platform for Morton to spread his knowledge of trees and to stress their ecological importance to Nebraska.
His message of tree life resonated with his readers, many of whom recognized the lack of forestation in their community. Morton also became involved with the Nebraska Board of Agriculture.
On Jan. 7, 1872, Morton proposed a day that would encourage all Nebraskans to plant trees in their community. The agriculture board agreed, and after some back-and-forth about the title – the event was originally going to be called “Sylvan Day” in reference to forest trees – Morton convinced everyone the day should reflect the appreciation of all trees, and “Arbor Day” was born.
