Celebrate Arbor Day

As pioneers began moving into the Nebraska Territory, the lack of trees was felt deeply. Not only did the new residents miss the trees they left behind, they were also left without the trees they needed as windbreaks to keep soil in place, for fuel and building materials, and for shade from the hot sun.

Nebraska newspaper editor and resident of Nebraska City, NE, Sterling Morton had an enthusiasm for trees and advocated strongly for individuals and civic groups to plant them. Once he became secretary of the Nebraska Territory, he further spread his message of the value of trees. And on January 4, 1872, Morton first proposed a tree planting holiday to be called “Arbor Day” at a meeting of the State Board of Agriculture.

The celebration date was set for April 10, 1872. Prizes were offered to counties and individuals for the largest number of properly planted trees on that day. It was estimated that more than 1 million trees were planted in Nebraska on the first Arbor Day. Today Arbor Day is celebrated in all 50 states.

Plant A Native Tree

Chionanthus virginicus • Fringe Tree

Chionanthus virginicus – fringetree is a tree native to the savannas and lowlands of the eastern United States, from New Jersey south to Florida, and west to Oklahoma and Texas. This plant is classified as Chionanthus virginicus in the oleaceae (olive) family. In late spring, an abundance of feathery white flowers appears on the tree for a two-week blooming providing a showy display. The flowers can perfume your garden with their sweet, lilac-like smell, particularly in the evening. It is estimate that more than 75 species of birds sustain themselves by eating the fruits of the Fringetree.

A slow-growing, large shrub or small, deciduous ornamental tree, fringetree matures at 12 to 20 feet in height and 12 to 20 feet in width in the urban landscape.  In the wild, the tree may grow 25 to 30 feet tall with a similar spread.  At full maturity, the tree is typically broader than it is tall with a spreading, often irregularly shaped crown that is somewhat open in appearance.  The crown is generally supported by multiple short trunks close to the ground, which gives the plant a shrub-like appearance.

Its appeal lies in its generous clusters of fragrant, fringed white blossoms, which appear in late spring after other spring-flowering trees have finished blooming.  The fringe tree is dioecious, meaning male and female flowers occur on different plants. The male flowers tend to be showier than female flowers, but both are lovely.  Each flower is comprised of four long, narrow petals and occurs in drooping, 4 to 8-inch long clusters at the ends of the branches. When in full bloom, the delicate, airy-looking blossoms give the tree a cloud-like appearance.  The flowers give off a delicate, sweet, spicy fragrance, making the plant all the more endearing in the spring landscape.

Fringetree is very versatile and adaptable to a wide range of soils and light conditions.  It grows well in full sun but does better if given a little filtered shade as respite from hot summer sun.  Although it prefers deep, acidic, moist, well-drained soil, it is fairly adaptable to drier soils. Once it is established, fringetree requires little, if any, maintenance.  If any pruning is needed, prune immediately after it flowers to allow the branches sufficient time to develop next year’s flower buds.  The shrub-like form can be shaped into a small tree form by pruning the lower limbs and foliage away.

Plant A Native Tree For Earth Day

WE INSPIRE PEOPLE TO PLANT, NURTURE AND CELEBRATE TREES.

The Arbor Day Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit conservation and education organization. A million members, donors, and partners support our programs to make our world greener and healthier.

If you join the Arbor Day Foundation (for just $10 for a 6-month membership) you get to choose 10 free trees to either be mailed to you or as a gift for someone else. You’ll get to choose between flowering trees, wild bird garden trees, White Pine, Norway Spruce, White Fir, Oak trees, American Redbud, Autumn classics, Douglas firs, or a mix of trees.

FREE With Your Membership…

• 10 free trees to plant in your yard or in a forest in your honor
• Tree and shrub discounts in the Online Tree Nursery
• A subscription to Arbor Day, our colorful bimonthly newsletter
• The Tree Book, a useful guide to planting and caring for your trees