Arbor Day: Five Things to Know

1. The first Arbor Day took place on April 10, 1872 and was the brainchild of J. Sterling Morton, a pioneer and newspaper editor who moved to the Nebraska territory in 1854. It is estimated that one million trees were planted on that day. The date of the holiday now varies from state to state, but is generally celebrated on the last Friday in April.
2. The Arbor Day Foundation, which began in 1972 to celebrate the 100^th anniversary of the first Arbor Day, is now one of the largest non-profit organizations in the world, planting and distributing 10 million trees every year.
3. The Arbor Day Foundation recognizes 3,300 communities across the country with its Tree City USA program honoring cities and towns that are committed to planting and nurturing trees.
4. Bethlehem is being honored today with its 18^th Tree City USA Award and its fourth Growth Award from the Arbor Day Foundation. A celebration is planned at 10 a.m. today in West Bethlehem, where Mayor John Callahan will mark Arbor Day with pupils from .
5. Free tree seedlings will be available to Bethlehem residents all day today at , 10 E. Church St.  The City will be offering Kousa Dogwood, Washington Hawthorne, Eastern Redbud, Whitespire Birch, and Bald Cypress.

Sources: Arbor Day Foundation, City of Bethlehem