Arbor Day is a nationally-celebrated observance that encourages tree planting and care. Wake Forest has been a Tree City for 31 years and has received its 16th consecutive growth award.
Arbor Day is now observed throughout the nation and the world. National Arbor Day is the last Friday in April, but many states observe Arbor Day on different dates according to their best tree-planting times. North Carolina observes Arbor Day the first Friday following March 15th.
Wake Forest’s Arbor Day Celebration
The Town of Wake Forest’s Arbor Day celebration takes place during the 3rd week of March. Activities include an Arbor Day ceremony and a special tree planting. During the ceremony, Green Medals are presented to Wake Forest area residents, civic clubs, and companies that have demonstrated exceptional care and concern for the environment and/or Wake Forest’s urban forest.
Also during the ceremony, the Tree Board presents award certificates and savings bonds to the winners of the Arbor Day Poster Contest.
Jones Dairy Elementary School students provide the entertainment with the direction of the school’s music teacher. A guest speaker is always invited to share information on the importance of trees to the audience. Refreshments are provided by the Wake Forest Garden and Woman’s Club.
In honor of Arbor Day, 2,500 tree seedlings are distributed to area residents on the Saturday before Arbor Day.
Poster Contest
The National Arbor Day Foundation theme is used and students are asked to create a poster that reflects his or her knowledge of that theme. Winners are selected in four categories.
“Best Picture’, ‘Most Creative’, '5th Grade Entry', and ‘Honorable Mention’. The poster chosen for ‘Best Picture’ is used as the Arbor Day t-shirt illustration.