Celebrate Mississippi Arbor Day + Tree Planting Week: February 14 - 20, 2025
- Feb 15
- 6 min read
Written By:
Shane Wade, The Happy Horticulturist
Source(s):
At Wade in the Water Landscape & Irrigation, we are passionate about enhancing the natural beauty of our community in Central Mississippi’s USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 8b!
As we observe Mississippi Arbor Day on Friday, February 14, 2025, we invite you to join us in celebrating this special occasion dedicated to the planting and nurturing of trees.
Plus, read on below to learn why it’s important to plant trees and why right now (late winter) is prime time to plant a tree in the ‘Sip!
The Significance of Arbor Day in Mississippi
Mississippi celebrates Arbor Day Each year as a special day to recognize the statewide benefits and contributions of trees and forests to our ecosystem.
The 2025 Mississippi Arbor Day theme is: "S.T.E.M., Leaves, and Trees.” This theme aims to promote the celebration of Mississippi trees and their role in our environment through hands-on activities, games, and museum exhibits.
“National Arbor Day” is recognized in April. However, we honor Arbor Day in Mississippi on the second Friday in February,” said Mississippi Forestry Commission (MFC) State Forester Russell Bozeman. “Late winter is the best time to plant new trees because it helps young trees focus on putting down roots.”
Tree planting festivals have been popular dating back to the earliest days of civilization. Sacred trees, planted roadsides, and shaded school walks were common long before North America was discovered.
However, Arbor Day is purely American in origin. It was first observed in the State of Nebraska in 1872.
The first official Arbor Day Celebration was held in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1882, and two new elements were entered into observance:
First, the day was declared a school festival;
Second, the practice of planting a memorial tree was inaugurated.
These new developments were largely responsible for the acceptance of Arbor Day over the rest of the United States.
Arbor Day became an official day of observance in Mississippi in 1926. Later, the second Friday in February was firmly adopted as the day on which the state would annually observe Arbor Day.
Although National Arbor Day is always the last Friday in April, it is observed at different times throughout the country, based on the planting times best for each state.
Mississippi elected to celebrate the statewide, annual event in late winter each year on the second Friday in February because it’s the perfect time of the year for tree planting in “The Magnolia State.”
Mississippi’s late winter climate and soil environment is ideal for tree planting as the timing allows young trees the opportunity to establish their roots before the onset of spring. The more established a young tree’s roots are, the stronger they grow.
This brings me to the following important point: now is the best time to install new woody shrubs and trees in your landscape, while they are dormant, and have not yet burst into leaves or blooms.
“Now is the best time to install new woody shrubs and trees in your landscape, while they are dormant, and have not yet burst into leaves or blooms.” - Shane Wade,
The winter months in central Mississippi offer us a good number of good planting days. Unlike those folks up north who battle snow and frozen ground, we can dig holes in the wintertime!
Even though this is our “cooler” season, we still have a long period of time for plant roots to become established before hot summer days return.
Governor Declares February 14 Mississippi’s Arbor Day
Governor Tate Reeves has officially proclaimed February 14, 2025 as Arbor Day in “the Hospitality State.”
Additionally, Gov. Reeves has proclaimed February 14 - 20, 2025 as Tree Planting Week across the state.
During this year’s Tree Planting Week, many of Mississippi’s community partners, families, and friends will join in the celebration, recognition, and promotion of the many benefits of planting trees and that trees provide to all.
Why Plant Trees?
Trees offer numerous benefits to our environment and communities, including:
Improved Air Quality:
Trees absorb pollutants and release oxygen, contributing to cleaner air.
Energy Conservation:
Strategically planted trees provide shade, reducing the need for air conditioning in the summer and acting as windbreaks in the winter.
Enhanced Property Value:
A well-landscaped property with healthy trees can increase its market value.
Wildlife Habitat:
Trees provide shelter and food for various wildlife species, promoting biodiversity.
The benefits of forestry to Mississippi include a $15.44 Billion contribution to the state’s economy, more than 68,000 jobs, and an average of $8.2 Million toward education through Public School Trust (16th Section) Land timber sale revenue.
Plant a tree in 2025!
How You Can Participate?
Many counties and communities across Mississippi host Arbor Day events, including tree giveaways and sales. Participating in these events is a great way to contribute to your local environment.
As a public resource, the Mississippi Forestry Commission works with our natural resource partners to compile a statewide list of tree giveaways and sales here.
“On behalf of the Mississippi Forestry Commission and all of our forestry partners, we appreciate Gov. Reeves’s proclamation,” Bozeman said. “We also want to encourage all Mississippians to take advantage of the tree giveaways and sales in their communities to help spread the importance of trees for future generations. Healthy trees lead to healthy lives.”
You can check out a listing of statewide Mississippi Arbor Day events on the Mississippi Forestry Commission’s website at the link below:
For more information about Mississippi Arbor Day, individuals should contact their local municipalities to see if they have plans for Abor Day.
Individuals may also choose to plant a tree on their own, or have a tree planted on behalf of or in memory of themself or a loved one in celebration of this annual event.
Join Us in Celebrating Arbor Day!
At Wade in the Water Landscape & Irrigation, we are committed to promoting sustainable landscaping practices.
This Arbor Day, consider planting a tree in your yard or community.
If you need assistance with tree selection, planting, or care, our team of experts is here to help. Together, we can enhance the beauty and health of our environment for generations to come.
For more information or to schedule a consultation, please contact Wade in the Water Landscape & Irrigation at 601-421-9713.
Let’s Create Something Beautiful Together
As we celebrate 2025 Mississippi Arbor Day + Tree Planting Week, we are even more inspired to exceed expectations.
Whether you’re envisioning a new tree, a vibrant lawn, a cutting-edge irrigation system, or maybe you are dreaming of an outdoor oasis, Wade in the Water Landscape & Irrigation is here to help.
Call us today at 601-421-9713 or book your service online here for fast and easy scheduling!
The experts at Wade in the Water Landscape & Irrigation are are happy to design, install, maintain, update, or upgrade your outdoor space, ensuring that it suits your needs, goals, and budget.
“We have the expertise, experience, and equipment to handle any landscape, lawn care, or irrigation project, big or small.” -
- Shane Wade
CONTACT Wade in the Water Landscape & Irrigation to schedule an ON-SITE ESTIMATE APPOINTMENT.
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