"Each generation takes the Earth as trustees. We ought to bequeath to posterity as many forests and orchards as we have exhausted and consumed." -- J. Sterling Morton, 1887
Such lasting sentiments expressed by the founder of our National Arbor Day instill upon us a sincere dedication to maintaining healthy landscapes by planting trees and ensuring that our neighborhoods are abundant with flourishing green space. Over one hundred and thirty years ago, J. Sterling Morton proposed a "tree-planting" holiday in the treeless, prairie state of Nebraska encouraging his neighbors to enrich and beautify their communities with magnificent trees.
Today, National Arbor Day celebrates the planting, growing and maintenance of area forestry. National Arbor Day is held on the last Friday in April each year while each state and several international communities observe their own individual Arbor Day celebrations.
Texas' celebration coincides with the National Arbor Day and places our State tree, the Pecan, center stage. Due to Houston's climate and hot summers, Arbor Day is usually celebrated in January - the perfect time to plant trees in our community. We proudly continue the Arbor Day tradition with the 2007 planting of 20,000 trees along sections of Will Clayton Parkway.
Houston's steadfast commitment to healthy trees has made celebrating Arbor Day in the Bayou City a proud and acclaimed tradition. For instance, 2005 marked the 116th Official State of Texas Arbor Day Celebration held at MacGregor Park in Houston. The Texas Forest Service recognized and honored Houston for our community's enthusiastic efforts at encouraging and fostering new plantings and the up-keep of healthy, well tended trees. The celebration also included the announcement of the State Arbor Day poster contest winner and recognition of Houston's status as "Tree City U.S.A." for the 20th consecutive time. As Mayor Bill White and the City of Houston proclaimed:
(From the Arbor Day Proclamation, Friday, April 29th, 2005)
Since 1990, the Houston Parks and Recreation Department, with tremendous support from public/private partnerships, has planted more than 30,000 trees throughout the City. To continue that tradition, 1,131 trees have been planted in MacGregor Park since January 29th, 2005.
Trees are an integral part of Houston's society, benefiting our community by reducing noise and air pollution, providing shade to reduce energy costs, increasing property values, and enhancing the beauty of our City.
