Planting hope for the future: Julius Sterling Morton and the birth of Arbor Day
This botanical history post was featured on The Daily Gardener podcast:
April 22, 1832
Dearest reader,
On this day, we remember Julius Sterling Morton, whose passion for trees birthed a movement that would grow worldwide—Arbor Day.
Moving west from Detroit to Nebraska in 1867, Morton was struck by the treeless plains that stretched endlessly. Deeply concerned about the environmental and practical hardships facing settlers, he proposed a special day dedicated to planting trees—a gesture meant to restore the landscape’s life and beauty. The idea took root on April 10, 1872, with over a million trees planted in Nebraska during the first Arbor Day.
Morton’s insight was both simple and profound:
“Other holidays repose upon the past; Arbor Day proposes for the future.”
This day, initially a Nebraska phenomenon, soon spread across the United States and beyond, inspiring communities, schools, and nations to plant and cherish trees. It was not merely a day of beautification but a rallying cry for conservation, reflecting his belief that every tree contributed to soil stability, shade, and the health of the planet.
Throughout his life, Morton’s influence grew. He served as Nebraska’s Secretary of State and later as Secretary of Agriculture under President Grover Cleveland, always advocating for environmental stewardship.
In 1923, his beloved home, Arbor Lodge, was gifted to Nebraska and now functions as a historic state park, a testament to his lasting legacy.
Today, Arbor Day is celebrated in all 50 states, often on the last Friday of April, and marks a century-long tradition of planting future forests.
When you next plant a sapling or care for your garden, consider Morton’s philosophy—our future depends on the roots we nurture today.
