National Tree Day 2023: Date, History, Facts, Events

On the first Sunday of August, we celebrate National Tree Day. It is observed alongside School Tree Day on the final Friday of July. This year’s date is August 6. National Tree Day is the largest community tree-planting and environmental care event in Australia. On this day, approximately 300,000 volunteers engage in environmental activities that educate Australians about the world around them.

It is essential to cultivate trees and maintain our natural environment because trees absorb and store atmospheric carbon. Because it stores carbon and is a renewable resource, the timber they produce is also a significant environmentally friendly building material.

The background of National Tree Day

In 1594, the mayor of the Spanish municipality of Mondoedo hosted the first known arbour planting festival. Don Juan Abern Samtrés, a priest who lived in Villanueva de la Sierra in 1805, recognised the significance of trees for health, hygiene, decoration, nature, environment, and customs. He resolved to plant trees on Carnival Tuesday in order to make the holiday more festive; this day is now known as Arbour Day.

The celebration commenced with a Mass and continued for three days. Following the Mass, Samtrés, accompanied by priests, teachers, and a large throng of neighbours, planted the first tree in the Ejido Valley: a poplar. Later, there was a feast and entertainment. Samtrés penned a manifesto in support of trees, which he distributed to neighbouring towns in an effort to promote respect for the environment and encourage the planting of trees.

In Nebraska in 1872, the first American Arbour Day was observed. In 1883, Connecticut native Birdsey Northrop visited Japan and conveyed his Arbour Day and Village Improvement message. In the same year, the American Forestry Association appointed Northrop chairman of the committee to promote Arbour Day nationwide. He also shared Arbour Day with Canada, Europe, and Australia.

The first Arbour Day was observed in Australia on June 20, 1889. Numerous states in Australia celebrate Arbour Day, whereas Victoria celebrates Arbour Week, as suggested by former Premier Rupert Hamer in the 1980s. National Tree Day was established in 1996, and since then, communities have planted nearly 26 million trees as part of the programme. The Planet Ark Environmental Foundation established “The Seedling Bank” in 2019 to provide financial assistance to schools and community organisations with the greatest seedling needs.

National Tree Day Events

Plant an arbour

You can organise or participate in a planting through the National Tree Day website. Gather some friends and family and choose a piece of land where you can do this on your own if that is too much difficulty.

Make a gift to the Seedling Bank

Donations and volunteers are equally vital for obtaining the seedlings and organising the event. Visit the National Tree Day website to learn more and to make a donation.

Improve the environment

It’s not just about tree planting. National Tree Day is also about caring for the environment. If you are unable to volunteer through the website, you can take care of this on your own by cleaning up your local park or green space and placing the trash in a recycling receptacle.

5 INCREDIBLE FACTS ABOUT TREES

One tree absorbs the same quantity of carbon per year as a vehicle travelling 26,000 miles.

A mature tree can absorb nearly 70 times more carbon dioxide than a young tree.

At ten years of age, a tree matures and reaches its maximal carbon absorption capacity.

This occurs due to the evaporation of water from their foliage.

In addition to safeguarding aquifers and watersheds, this is accomplished by slowing and filtering rainwater.

NATIONAL TREE DAY DATES