Arbor Day

Arbor Day is a nationally celebrated observance that encourages tree planting and care. The first Arbor Day took place on April 10, 1872, in Nebraska with the vision and guidance of Juilius Sterling Morton. On this day, more than one million trees were planted. Morton worked to improve agricultural techniques in Nebraska and throughout the United States when he served as President Grover Cleveland’s Secretary of Agriculture. His most important legacy is Arbor Day, which became an annual legal holiday in 1885. Today, all 50 states and many countries celebrate this day with festivities of their own in early spring.

Arbor Day is held at OU every spring toward the end of March. The day is recognized with a campus-wide picnic and students assist the Landscaping staff in planting trees. Since the restoration of this day at OU, more than 4,000 new trees have been planted on the Norman campus and the Health Sciences Center in Oklahoma City. “When you plant a tree, you are not doing something for yourself; it is a way of affirming the future,” said President Boren. Planting trees on campus also is a way for students to form a permanent connection to the university. “It is a way in which our own students, faculty and staff can attach ourselves as remembering being here planting a tree,” said President Boren. “It is a wonderful tradition that ties you to the campus for years to come.” Leadership Development and Volunteerism and Landscaping department, under the guidance of first lady Molly Shi Boren, coordinate this event.