Arbor Day in Germany Date in the current year: April 25, 2024

The very first Arbor Day was celebrated in the USA in Nebraska in 1872 but later this holiday spread to other countries. It came to Europe at the beginning of the 20th century and many countries adopted the American pattern of celebration. Arbor Day (or Tag des Baumes in German) was celebrated for the first time on April 25, 1952.

During the inaugural ceremony the first President of the Federal Republic of Germany Theodor Heuss planted a maple tree in Bonn. This action launched an annual tree planting event, that is now coordinated by the German Forest Protection Association. Other environmental organizations also take part in coordination of this observance across the German states.

Every year the German Forest Protection Association chooses a certain species of tree, that will be planted on Arbor Day. Usually this is oak and its species, because oaks are considered to be sacred trees in Germany.