Oneonta Celebrates Arbor Day Today With a Tribute to Frank Stevens

Arbor Day has arrived here in New York State.  It's always celebrated on the last Friday in April here in our State but is celebrated at different times in different States, depending on the best time to plant trees. The whole idea is to have a day where groups or individuals plants trees which of course add to our air quality and prevent soil erosion.  We celebrate Arbor Day thanks to J. Sterling Morton who held the first event in Nebraska City, Nebraska on April 10th in 1872.  It's estimated that one million trees were planted on that day.  Wow!

In Oneonta this morning at 10am there will be an Arbor Day Ceremony welcoming all, beginning at 10am in the lower level of Wilber Park, near the tennis courts.  As part of the ceremony, a tree will be planted in the park in memory of Frank Stevens who was a 30 year Oneontan and was also a member of the Environmental Board for many years.  Frank knew his trees as he was a Cornell University Master Gardner and over the years helped to plant over 200 trees throughout Oneonta.  So remember Frank whenever you see a beautiful tree in Oneonta.  He could have planted it!