Students from the Chicago Futabakai Japanese School spread mulch around a redbud tree that was planted for Arbor Day festivities Friday at Rand-Berkley Park in Arlington Heights.
Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
John Kramer, director of parks and planning for the Arlington Heights Park District, from left, gives an award to Yuichi Hasegawa, principal of the Chicago Futabakai Japanese School, along with Maria March, an English instructor at the school, during Arbor Day festivities Friday at Rand-Berkley Park in Arlington Heights.
Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
Arlington Heights President Pro Tem Robin LaBedz is all smiles as she carries a plaque presented during Arbor Day festivities Friday at Rand-Berkley Park in Arlington Heights.
Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
Seven-year-old Mackenzie McDermott of Arlington Heights is all smiles after she was recognized for her drawing during Arbor Day festivities Friday at Rand-Berkley Park in Arlington Heights.
Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
Students from the Chicago Futabakai Japanese School perform during Arbor Day festivities Friday at Rand-Berkley Park in Arlington Heights.
Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
A mid-morning ceremony including placing mulch around a newly planted Eastern redbud tree and a celebration of the cherry blossom performance by students from the Chicago Futabakai Japanese School marked Arbor Day festivities Friday at Rand-Berkley Park in Arlington Heights.
Park district and village officials spoke about the importance of trees to the community, and announced the winners of the Arbor Day Drawing Contest. Their artwork was displayed during the event.
The Eastern redbud is known as an indicator of spring, has delicate blossoms and is one of the season’s most dramatic displays.
Julius Sterling Morton, a Nebraska journalist and politician, organized the first Arbor Day on April 10, 1872. Throughout his long career, Morton worked to improve agricultural techniques, but his most important legacy is Arbor Day.