Arbor Day
The day was the brainchild of Julius Sterling Morton, a Nebraskan journalist who later became the U.S. Agriculture Secretary under President Grover Cleveland. Morton was an enthusiastic promoter of tree planting, had long championed the idea of a day dedicated to planting trees.
Arbor Day was first celebrated in Nebraska on April 10, 1874, following a proclamation by Gov. Robert W. Furnas. In less than a decade, the idea for the holiday caught on in other sates until, by 1882, its observance had become a national event. Nebraska made Arbor Day a legal holiday in 1885, moving it to April 22, Morton’s birthday. An estimated one million trees were planted during the first Arbor Day.
Many other countries around the world set aside one day each year to celebrate trees, though not all of them take place on the same day as Arbor Day. One of the oldest is Tu Bishvat, a minor Jewish holiday that usually falls in late January or early February. In ancient times, the people of Israel used this day to plant trees and celebrate their gifts by eating dried fruit and nuts, including figs, dates, raisins, carob, and almonds.
The day was the brainchild of Julius Sterling Morton, a Nebraskan journalist who later became the U.S. Agriculture Secretary under President Grover Cleveland. Morton was an enthusiastic promoter of tree planting, had long championed the idea of a day dedicated to planting trees.
Arbor Day was first celebrated in Nebraska on April 10, 1874, following a proclamation by Gov. Robert W. Furnas. In less than a decade, the idea for the holiday caught on in other sates until, by 1882, its observance had become a national event. Nebraska made Arbor Day a legal holiday in 1885, moving it to April 22, Morton’s birthday. An estimated one million trees were planted during the first Arbor Day.
Many other countries around the world set aside one day each year to celebrate trees, though not all of them take place on the same day as Arbor Day. One of the oldest is Tu Bishvat, a minor Jewish holiday that usually falls in late January or early February. In ancient times, the people of Israel used this day to plant trees and celebrate their gifts by eating dried fruit and nuts, including figs, dates, raisins, carob, and almonds.
The first Georgia Arbor Day was proclaimed by the Georgia General Assembly in December, 1890. In 1941, the General Assembly set the third Friday in February as the day of our state Arbor Day. While National Arbor Day is the third Friday in April, it is too warm at that time of the year to plant trees in Georgia.
Arbor Day - February 2024
This year the St. Marys Tree Board and the Rotary Club donated and planted three live oak trees in Sweetwater Park on Point Peter Road in St. Marys. The St. Marys Garden Club was instrumental in creating and leading the program and refreshments following this event. This park is a significant park in the history of St. Marys since it was established for usage during a time when segregation was prevalent. The Garden Club also awarded five Fifth grade students who wrote essays about what trees mean to St. Marys. Backpacks were also given to each student from the St. Marys Tree Board. Thanks to Linda Williams and Gail Steier who organized this essay contest. Many dignitaries from St. Marys participated in the ceremony along with members of the Forestry service that provide small trees for any attendee to take home and plant in their yards. Thank you to Mayor Morrissey who proclaimed February 16, 2024 as Arbor Day in St. Marys. Also, thanks to all members of the St. Marys Garden Club who provided refreshments and attended this important event at Sweetwater Park.
This year the St. Marys Tree Board and the Rotary Club donated and planted three live oak trees in Sweetwater Park on Point Peter Road in St. Marys. The St. Marys Garden Club was instrumental in creating and leading the program and refreshments following this event. This park is a significant park in the history of St. Marys since it was established for usage during a time when segregation was prevalent. The Garden Club also awarded five Fifth grade students who wrote essays about what trees mean to St. Marys. Backpacks were also given to each student from the St. Marys Tree Board. Thanks to Linda Williams and Gail Steier who organized this essay contest. Many dignitaries from St. Marys participated in the ceremony along with members of the Forestry service that provide small trees for any attendee to take home and plant in their yards. Thank you to Mayor Morrissey who proclaimed February 16, 2024 as Arbor Day in St. Marys. Also, thanks to all members of the St. Marys Garden Club who provided refreshments and attended this important event at Sweetwater Park.
Arbor Day - February 2023
This year in collaboration with the Saint Marys Tree Board and the Saint Marys Garden Club a Red Bud tree was planted on the grounds of the historic First Presbyterian Church in honor of Past President, garden club member and Tree Board member, Frances Smith in celebration of Arbor Day. Frances, chaired the Arbor Day event in Saint Marys for many years before her passing in 2022. The city of Saint Marys, planted several red bud trees along Osborne Street abutting this historic church in celebration of Arbor Day as well. Mayor John Morrissey, read the proclamation naming February 17 in Saint Marys, Arbor Day. In attendance were many dignitaries including family members of Frances Smith. An essay contest was run by the garden club for fifth grade students on the subject of "What are the benefits of trees". Awards and monetary compensation was given to five students for their essays. Thanks to Joyce St. Clair of the Saint Marys Garden Club for chairing this event. The event concluded with a rendition of Amazing Grace on the bagpipes, played by Hal Weathers, son-in-law of Frances Smith. Refreshments, baked goods and finger foods followed the ceremony provided by garden club members. Thanks to those members who contributed their talents to the event.
More pictures from Arbor Day 2023
Arbor Day - February 2022
Georgia Arbor Day: Plant for a Better Tomorrow!
With Spring around the corner, it is that time of year we celebrate the beauty, functionality, and value trees have on our daily lives. Arbor Day was celebrated in 1872 and over a century later communities continue to plant for a better tomorrow!
This year, St. Mary’s Garden Club hosted Arbor Day at at Orange Hall. For the first time our ceremony was mentioned on Action New Jax, 10pm news and in gallery- link following:
https://www.actionnewsjax.com/news/local/georgia-arbor-day/3QJPDT2JKREPXBD6462GGUNBCY/?fbclid=IwAR0JukXxrqbTT3vqEeVKh0RNWL6cW9hJiyajojBenCWdvUE9Oj7Hsifbbk8
With Spring around the corner, it is that time of year we celebrate the beauty, functionality, and value trees have on our daily lives. Arbor Day was celebrated in 1872 and over a century later communities continue to plant for a better tomorrow!
This year, St. Mary’s Garden Club hosted Arbor Day at at Orange Hall. For the first time our ceremony was mentioned on Action New Jax, 10pm news and in gallery- link following:
https://www.actionnewsjax.com/news/local/georgia-arbor-day/3QJPDT2JKREPXBD6462GGUNBCY/?fbclid=IwAR0JukXxrqbTT3vqEeVKh0RNWL6cW9hJiyajojBenCWdvUE9Oj7Hsifbbk8
Arbor Day - February 2021
The St. Marys Water Front Park was the location for this year's Arbor Day Celebration On Friday 19, 2021 at 2:00 PM.
Thanks to Frances and all her amazing helpers, Arbor Day was a success despite the weather. The children were present and they all received a tree as well as awards for essays. Mimi’s husband, Harry, was our singer.
GS Dickey shared the following post on facebook: "The St. Marys Garden Club, along with the St. Marys Tree Board — assisted by our City’s Public Works Department — hosted the annual Arbor Day Celebration. It was rainy and cold — hardly a beautiful day to honor trees, especially down on our St. Marys riverfront — but we carried on anyway. One aspect of the celebration is an essay contest for fifth-graders in the three St. Marys Elementary schools. Frances Smith (blue shirt in photo), the super-organized chairperson for this event, invited me to be one of three judges for the essays. Such fun! These essay-writing kids really understand the importance of trees to our lifestyle, our health, our environment, even our happiness. The top three writers in each of three schools received certificates and cash prizes, funded by both the Garden Club and the St. Marys EarthKeepers. Pictured in front is Peyton Baily, first-place essayist from St. Marys Elementary. What a great event! "
Thanks to Frances and all her amazing helpers, Arbor Day was a success despite the weather. The children were present and they all received a tree as well as awards for essays. Mimi’s husband, Harry, was our singer.
GS Dickey shared the following post on facebook: "The St. Marys Garden Club, along with the St. Marys Tree Board — assisted by our City’s Public Works Department — hosted the annual Arbor Day Celebration. It was rainy and cold — hardly a beautiful day to honor trees, especially down on our St. Marys riverfront — but we carried on anyway. One aspect of the celebration is an essay contest for fifth-graders in the three St. Marys Elementary schools. Frances Smith (blue shirt in photo), the super-organized chairperson for this event, invited me to be one of three judges for the essays. Such fun! These essay-writing kids really understand the importance of trees to our lifestyle, our health, our environment, even our happiness. The top three writers in each of three schools received certificates and cash prizes, funded by both the Garden Club and the St. Marys EarthKeepers. Pictured in front is Peyton Baily, first-place essayist from St. Marys Elementary. What a great event! "
Mayor John Morrissey Peyton Baily, 1st place essayist This year's tree
Arbor Day Proclamation St. Marys Elementary Live Oak
Arbor Day Proclamation St. Marys Elementary Live Oak
Arbor Day - February 2020
The Saint Marys Tree Board and Saint Marys Garden Club celebrated Georgia’s Arbor Day on Friday February 21st by planting a Maple Tree on the grounds of the First Baptist Church of St Marys in downtown. Organized by SMGC member Frances, the program included Mayor John Morrissey’s Arbor Day Proclamation, description of what the Tree Board does from President Ed Torgersen, and a presentation of the Tree City and Banner by the Georgia State Forestry, honoring our 14th year of recognition as a National Tree City.
A new feature of this year’s Arbor Day Celebration was an essay contest for students in the fifth grade English classes in St. Marys. The topic was the “Benefits of Trees in St. Marys”. The panel that judged and determined the winners were amazed at their appreciation and knowledge of one of our most valuable natural assets. Earth Keeper’s President Alex Kearns presented the awards & prizes to the six winning students with help from Alise Pate from St Marys Public Works and Frances Smith. Following the program refreshments were provided, compliments of the Saint Marys Garden Club.
The Saint Marys Tree Board and Saint Marys Garden Club celebrated Georgia’s Arbor Day on Friday February 21st by planting a Maple Tree on the grounds of the First Baptist Church of St Marys in downtown. Organized by SMGC member Frances, the program included Mayor John Morrissey’s Arbor Day Proclamation, description of what the Tree Board does from President Ed Torgersen, and a presentation of the Tree City and Banner by the Georgia State Forestry, honoring our 14th year of recognition as a National Tree City.
A new feature of this year’s Arbor Day Celebration was an essay contest for students in the fifth grade English classes in St. Marys. The topic was the “Benefits of Trees in St. Marys”. The panel that judged and determined the winners were amazed at their appreciation and knowledge of one of our most valuable natural assets. Earth Keeper’s President Alex Kearns presented the awards & prizes to the six winning students with help from Alise Pate from St Marys Public Works and Frances Smith. Following the program refreshments were provided, compliments of the Saint Marys Garden Club.
Arbor Day - February 2019
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The Saint Marys Garden Club celebrated Arbor Day 2019 by planting a Live Oak tree in the Peace Garden adjacent to the historical Oak Grove Cemetery in downtown Saint Marys. Garden club members were joined by the Tree board, city officials, invited guests & the public and enjoyed a very interesting & informative program, organized by our own Frances Smith. |
Arbor Day - February 2018 Arbor Day was celebrated at the First Presbyterian Church. The community along with garden club members gathered to celebrate the planting of the successor to the Pratt Oak. |
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Arbor Day Ceremony February 16, 2017
Mary Lee Clark Elementary School
St Marys Garden Club donated a River Birch in honor of the day. The Go Green Junior Garden Club conducted the ceremony. Representatives from the city of St. Marys including the Mayor were present along with Kiwanis, parents, and garden club members.
Go Green - Arbor Day Celebration 2016