Day to Highlight Trees and Those Who Help Them Grow
![Photo of Maryland Forest Service staff delivering seedlings to the State House for Arbor Day 2019 Photo of Maryland Forest Service staff delivering seedlings to the State House for Arbor Day 2019](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7824/46805716914_37315e8273.jpg)
The department celebrates the first Wednesday of April every year by giving away trees for planting and honoring the achievements of individuals who have contributed to the state’s tree farming industry.
![Photo of state Treasurer Nancy Copp, Governor Larry Hogan and Comptroller Peter Franchot receiving note cards for Maryland Arbor Day Photo of state Treasurer Nancy Copp, Governor Larry Hogan and Comptroller Peter Franchot receiving note cards for Maryland Arbor Day](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7878/47476979312_a1b93b1012.jpg)
“Arbor Day celebrates the many benefits of trees — beauty, clean air, clean water, raw material for wood products, wildlife habitat and recreational opportunities, just to mention a few,” Maryland Natural Resources Secretary Jeannie Haddaway-Riccio told board members. “This day is also meant to encourage everyone to plant a tree. The Department of Natural Resources has provided each member of this board with a native red bud seedling, grown in the John S. Ayton State Tree Nursery in Preston.”
![Photo of note cards featuring 2019 Arbor Day contest art, as presented to state leadership Photo of note cards featuring 2019 Arbor Day contest art, as presented to state leadership](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7814/47529749001_b81d343ec6.jpg)
Staff also delivered seedlings and note cards to the Maryland General Assembly, where the department and the Maryland Tree Farm Committee presented honors for tree farmers and inspectors.
![Photo of 2019 Maryland Tree Farm of the Year recipients Photo of 2019 Maryland Tree Farm of the Year recipients](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7905/47477795912_df16507aa5_k.jpg)
![Photo of Tree Inspector of the Year presentation, Arbor Day 2019 Photo of Tree Inspector of the Year presentation, Arbor Day 2019](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7814/46615138135_1be27dca95_k.jpg)
As Arbor Day celebrations continue throughout April, department staff and community partners will participate in tree plantings and distribute free tree seedlings to landowners through the state’s Backyard Buffers program.
[ This article originally appeared here ]