The Buchanan Garden Club will host its annual Arbor Day celebration at 10 a.m. Friday at the Gazebo Garden at the corner of Front and Oak streets in downtown Buchanan.

Two redbud trees will be planted at the Commons with help from local students. Two red maples will be planted at Ravish Park later in the month. Buchanan High School’s Redbud Chorale will perform musical selections.

Arbor Day is observed to remind Americans that trees play a critical part in the health of Mother Earth, providing oxygen, windbreaks, shade and building materials.
The history of National Arbor Day has its roots in Michigan as J. Sterling Morton, originally from Detroit, was the editor of a Nebraska newspaper in the mid-nineteenth century. With that bully pulpit, Morton encouraged his fellow Nebraskans to plant trees for their many natural benefits.

“Each generation takes the earth as trustees” is a quote attributed to Morton and, in 1874, he was behind making Arbor Day a Nebraska state holiday celebrated each April. By 1882, Arbor Day became a national observance on or near Morton’s birthday, April 22.

The Buchanan Garden Club is made up of 48 men and women who meet monthly to learn more about gardening and horticulture in the Midwest. The club members tend the Gazebo Garden and the Buchanan Welcome Sign Garden at Red Bud Trail and Front St., as well as the summer flower plantings in the downtown area and farmers’ market. Membership is open to all interested gardeners.