Ladybugs and Arbor Day

In 1854 Sterling Morton moved to a western frontier region located in what is now the state of Nebraska. There were virtually no trees on the plains of his new home, so he started planting them and encouraged his neighbors to do likewise. The trees flourished and provided shade, fuel and building materials, as well as much needed windbreaks to prevent soil erosion. In 1872, at Morton's urging the Nebraska State Board of Agriculture initiated a holiday to plant trees on April 10. This was the first "Arbor Day" in the United States.

About one million trees were planted in Nebraska on that first Arbor Day. All states in the US now have an official Arbor Day. Most are observed in April, but a few states hold theirs in other months. National Arbor Day is celebrated on the last Friday in April.

Releasing ladybugs is a great way to celebrate Arbor Day. Ladybugs are a natural form of pest control as they eat aphids and other pests that damage plants. This video shows children at an elementary school in Arizona celebrating Arbor Day in this manner. If you come to Milford next Saturday, April 30, you can help us release ladybugs as part of our annual Bud & Bug Festival when we celebrate Delaware's official state bug and Arbor Day. Stop by the LadyBug Shop to pick up your package of FREE Live Ladybugs, while supplies last!