Arbor Day observed in proper time for planting

Arbor Day has a PR problem.

We're celebrating J. Sterling Morton's legacy in Nebraska today, the last Friday in April, because it's a legal holiday and the courthouse is closed.

The problem is, Arbor Day usually involves planting a tree, and depending on where you live, the last Friday in April may not be the optimum time to do so.

If you live in Algeria, for instance, Arbor Day is Oct. 27.

In China, it's March 12.

Iranians celebrate on March 5.

Venezuela celebrates "D'a del Arbol" on the last Sunday in May.

So while Arbor Day doesn't get the buzz of, say, a Christmas, it does do a fair job of accomplishing the task for which it was intended, the planting of trees.

And, tailoring the planting day to optimum conditions is appropriate too, for seeing that the trees survive.

While we're at it, we should make sure the trees going into the ground at the right time are the right ones for the purpose we wish them to serve.

For instance, do we want it to provide shade? Will it become too large for the space it has to grow? Will we have to rake its leaves, and will it grow to quickly or too slowly?

The Arbor Day Foundation can answer those questions and more at http://www.arborday.org/trees/righttreeandplace/

And with water always an issue, it's important to plant a species that is tolerant of Nebraska's weather. The University of Nebraska has a list of native trees that are great for planting in our state. http://arboretum.unl.edu---/greatplants/#trees