Want to make a difference in your neighborhood? Celebrate the value of Missouri trees and forests during Arbor Days in April by planting native trees and practicing proper tree care.

Missouri Arbor Day is Friday, April 7. Missouri has been overseeing the state’s official Arbor Day on the first Friday in April since 1886 when the General Assembly declared that day be set aside for the appreciation and planting of trees. National Arbor Day is recognized on the last Friday of April which is April 28 for 2023.

Get information on backyard tree care, including types of trees for urban and other landscapes, selecting the right tree for the right place, planting tips, water and pruning, and more. You can also order seedlings for reforestation, windbreaks, erosion control, and wildlife food and cover through the Missouri Department of Conservation’s George O. White State Forest Nursery near Licking.Orders are accepted through April 15.

Missouri forests cover about one-third of the state and provide outdoor recreation, wildlife habitat, natural beauty, and watersheds for streams and rivers. Spending time in Missouri forests can provide a natural health benefit, too. Exposure to nature contributes to your physical well-being, reducing your blood pressure and heart rate, relieving stress, and boosting your energy level.

April is Missouri Outdoors Month. Enjoy!