Over 130 years ago in the state of Nebraska, Sterling Morton organized the first Arbor Day celebration on April 10, 1872. On that day, over a million trees were planted in that state. Even more importantly, it encouraged a greater awareness, both in this country and worldwide, of the importance trees play in our lives.

Though most states observe Arbor Day on the last Friday of April, Maine decided to celebrate for a whole week – the third full week of May – after Maine’s Legislature was persuaded by a group of school children in Dover-Foxcroft in 1978.

And what a great time to get out and plant a tree in your yard or help someone else plant one in theirs! With such a wide variety of ornamentals, shade trees, and fruit trees from which to choose, the hardest part may not be the planting but the pondering.

Just remember to follow some simple guidelines when choosing and planting your tree. Make sure you select the right tree for the location or, conversely, the right location for the tree. Keep any tree a good distance from water pipes and septic tanks. Give it a spot that receives the required amount of sun or shade.

It may sound obvious but, if you’re anything like me, you tend to envision things a certain way and try to force them to like it. I’ve had to move a few trees I’ve planted unwisely and it’s no fun. Planting the same tree only once is much better.

When planting, don’t dig the hole too deep. Measure the width and depth of the root ball and dig the hole slightly shallower than the depth and two to three times wider than the width. Although the debate rages on about how much to amend the soil, you will probably want to dig in some compost and/or well-rotted manure and add some fertilizer. But don’t make it too rich for those newly emancipated tree roots. If you do, the roots will stay nicely scrunched in their comfort zone, unwilling to seek new pastures, so to speak.

Water the root ball as you’re filling in the hole, making sure to pack the soil well to avoid air pockets. When you’re through, form a raised ring of soil a couple of feet away from the trunk to keep water from running off. Then, mulch your tree, keep it well watered, and watch it grow.

In my wanderings this week, I came across a catalpa tree with an interesting history, growing at Frank and Betty McDermott’s house in Raymond.

According to Frank, back in Raymond’s centennial year, a teacher at the Mountain School (which is no longer there) went to California and brought back a catalpa seed for each one of her students. The students planted them enthusiastically and, as a result, Raymond still has a number of catalpa trees growing today.

I hope from the photo (which doesn’t begin to do it justice) you can see its magnificent limb spread and structure. Now just imagine it in a month or two, covered with panicles of white orchid-like flowers, tinged with yellow and purple. Breathtaking.

In closing, today is the day to plant a tree – to leave a growing legacy for generations yet to come. President Teddy Roosevelt, a champion of the environment before it became popular, said this:

“To exist as a nation, to prosper as a state, and to live as a people, we must have trees.”

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