Plant a tree this Arbor Day! Here's what to know about the tree-centric holiday

This Arbor Day, why not celebrate by planting a tree?

Arbor Day is April 28 this year, a holiday meant to encourage individuals or groups to plant trees. In many states, it is usually celebrated after Earth Day, on April 23.

While Arbor Day is observed on the last Friday of April, many states choose other days throughout to the year to celebrate based on the best time to plant trees.

Whether you're interested in getting out and planting a tree or are wondering why Arbor Day is even a thing at all, here's what to know about the holiday.

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What is Arbor Day?

While the very first Arbor Day was recorded in Spain in 1594, when residents of the village Mondoñedo planted trees, the idea didn't catch on in the U.S. until 1872.

A Nebraska newspaper editor, J. Sterling Morton, who eventually became secretary of the Nebraska Territory, proposed a tree planting holiday set for April 10, 1872. According to the Arbor Day Foundation, prizes were offered to counties and individuals for the largest number of properly planted trees, and more than 1 million trees were estimated to have been planted in Nebraska that day.

Arbor Day was named a legal state holiday in Nebraska in 1885, and April 22 was picked as its permanent date.

From there, other states followed suit and passed similar legislation surrounding Arbor Day, and more than 45 states and territories were celebrating by 1920.

Today, it is celebrated in all 50 states and in countries around the world including Australia, Spain, Mexico and the Philippines.

Plant a tree for Arbor Day? It's a little more complicated than that.

Is Arbor Day the same every year?

While the most common date for observance in the U.S. is the last Friday in April, many states observe Arbor Day at different times of the year based on the best tree planting times.

Ohio and Indiana observe Arbor Day on the last Friday of April, while Kentucky is on the first Friday of April. Alaska's Arbor Day is on the first Monday in May, and Hawaii's is on the first Friday in November.

What is the main way to celebrate Arbor Day?

It's obvious – get out and help plant a tree! But if you'd rather do something else, the Arbor Day Foundation has a variety of celebration ideas suitable for all ages.

Some include: Organizing a tree identification hike, volunteering with a local tree-planting organization, organizing a "biggest tree" or "oldest tree" search in your community or choosing a public park or downtown area to clean up.

Your local parks department may already have a celebration planned for this year.

What to know before you plant a tree

American Electric Power Ohio has some recommendations to keep in mind before you start digging.

• Know the potential height of trees and ensure branches will be clear of power lines once clearly grown.

• Extended branches should never come within 10 feet of a power line.

• Slow-growing species are typically stronger and live longer than fast-growing species.

• Be aware of how much space you have, as that will impact the kind of tree to plant. Columnar shaped-trees are best for limited space, and round or v-shaped trees are best for more shade.

• Call 811 at least 48 hours before you dig. This will connect you to the Call Before you Dig national hotline, and you can request any underground lines on your property to be marked clearly above ground to help avoid serious injury, expenses or possible penalties.

Where to celebrate Arbor Day in Cincinnati

In Cincinnati, the Cincinnati Parks Department is planning an Arbor Day at the Riverfront celebration from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 29 at Smale Riverfront Park, on the south side of Mehring across from the carousel. The parks department is hosting a tree giveaway. Food, dessert trucks and music will also be available.

North College Hill is hosting a celebration from noon to 2 p.m. April 29 at the City Administration Building on W. Galbraith Road.

Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval will also read a mayoral proclamation at 10 a.m. April 28 at the Academy of Multilingual Immersion Studies, which will then be followed by a ceremonial tree planting with students. Students will also plant trees throughout the campus after the ceremony.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Arbor Day 2023: What is it? When is it? Everything to know