Arbor Day began in Nebraska

back in 1872, to stress the need to plant trees in areas bare of vegetation

and eroding lands, and to beautify cities. Since then the idea and the

celebration of the day has spread to all 50 states and in some foreign

countries. In Georgia, some legislation was passed in 1890, but not until

1941 did the General Assembly set the date of the third Friday in February

as Arbor Day in Georgia.

Trees play a large role in

our lives; there are the vast number of products derived from trees; and

the benefits to our environment, cleaning the air we breathe and the water

we drink, cooling the earth, curbing erosion, and providing forests for

recreation and homes for wildlife.

Forestry is Georgia's number-one

industry, contributing $19.7 billion annually to the state's economy,

employing more than 177,000 people statewide. So indeed, Georgians have

something to celebrate come Arbor Day.

Free literature on Arbor Day

is available. The Georgia Forestry Commission sets aside the entire month

of February to conduct Arbor Day related programs. Interested schools

and civic groups should contact their county GFC office for more information.

Call 770-227-5522 or 770-358-1459.