ARBOR DAY

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 51, Issue 3156, 12 August 1942, Page 4

ARBOR DAY

HOW MOVEMENT SPREAD VALUE OF TREE PLANTING FIRST STARTED IN 1872 Seventy years ago a far-sight-ed man thought of the idea of having a special day set aside to encourage the planting of trees to conserve moisture, to maintain forestation, and to beautify cities and country. That was in 1872, when J. Sterling Morton, of Nebraska City in the United States, was -president of the State Board of Agriculture. He introduced a resolution to set apart April 10 that year as- a day of tree planting in -Nebraska. Prises were awarded agricultural societies and ' individuals for planting the most trees. The holiday was established and more than a million trees’ were planted that first Arbor Day. -Later, in 1885, the Legislature made Arbor Day a legal holiday and April 22 was decided on as the annual date. Since that' time the custom has spread to nearly every State in the union and to several other countries, including Canada, England, the West Indies, Australia, New Zealand, France, Norway and China. The day celebrated depends on the climate; in New Zealand it is being held on August 5. In England a great tree-lover, Mr Richard St. Barbe Baker, some years ago founded an organisation called “The Men of the Trees” whose aims are-not only to encourage the planting of trees for timber and the protection of land from erosion but to stress the spiritual message that trees have for thejnen who love and understand them. Trees for Honey-birds In any programme of tree-plant-ing the trees that provide food for New Zealand’s beautiful birds which are honey-eaters, should not be omitted. There are not many of these trees but they are worth planting, not only for their beauty and. valuable timber, but for the preservation •of our interesting and unique bird-life. _ >-■-—

A popular introduced shrub, the single flowered camellia, provides a great’ store for honey-eating birds during the winter, and the strawberry tree (Benthamia) gives food for birds who feast on its scarlet berries. The common white lucerne tree is al&o very popular with tuis, inducing them to come quite close to many town houses.