Arbor Day was musical event in Reno

      Members of the Reno Urban Forestry Commission will observe the 110th anniversary of Nevada's first Arbor Day celebration at noon Friday in the outdoor theater at Reno High School. Arbor Day was first celebrated in the state April 13, 1887.
      I will represent the Nevada Historical Society during the program, which also will feature short presentations by Julie Martinson, chairwoman of the Reno Urban Forestry Commission; Reno Mayor Jeff Griffin; Susan Stead of the Nevada Division of Forestry; and Dave Pressler of the Reno Department of Parks and Recreation. A symbolic tree will be dedicated by Jan Ross, Reno High School principal. Oyvind Frock will lead a tour of landmark trees in Reno.
      In 1983, officials of the National Arbor Day Foundation designated Reno as Tree City, USA, in recognition of the community's comprehensive urban forestry program and other beautification and civic improvement projects.
      First celebrated in Nebraska on April 10, 1872, Arbor Day became a legal holiday in that state in 1883; it was first observed on April 22 that year, the birthday of J. Sterling Morton, pioneering Nebraskan, newspaper editor and promoter of tree planting. Other states adopted the holiday in subsequent years, including Nevada.
      A bill providing for the official establishment of Arbor Day in Nevada was introduced in the Nevada Assembly on Jan. 24, 1887 by Douglas County Assemblyman Herman H. Springmeyer. The measure passed the lower house on Feb. 2 and the Senate on Feb. 8. On Feb. 10, Gov. C.C. Stevenson signed the act, declaring April 13 to be the holiday.
      One Nevadan who supported the planting of trees in the state was Sam Davis, editor of the Carson Appeal, himself once a resident of Nebraska. Davis prevailed upon Adolph Sutro, developer of the Sutro Tunnel, to donate 1,000 trees for planting in Carson City. Stevenson ordered another 1,000 through a Reno nursery. In Virginia City, Professor John Edwards Bray arranged for the planting of 200 trees he secured from the governor. Residents of Genoa, Eureka and Hawthorne secured their own trees for planting on the designated day. Full literary exercises were held only in Reno and Elko, however.
      Reno's program was planned by Orvis Ring, superintendent of schools. Scheduled for Reno High School on Fifth and West streets, the program was held indoors because of rain. The school chorus led off with "Forest Song" and the Rev. T.P. Bradshaw gave the keynote address, "The Value of Trees to Civilization." Several students followed with short readings on "Lessons From History About Trees." Jennie McFarlin recited the poem "The Planting of the Apple Tree." Six students continued with short pieces on "Famous Trees in History" and a teacher, a Mrs. Chapin, offered a solo, "Woodman, Spare That Tree." Carrie McIntosh then stepped forward to read a paper, "Lessons From Nature About Trees," and the program concluded with several additional musical and literary features: "Beautiful Songs of Spring" by May Wheeler and the school chorus; a recitation, "Forest Hymn," by Echo Loder; a solo, "Buy My Flowers," by Kittie Elliott; and the work "Come Away" by the student body.
      The rain subsided, and 30 trees donated by Reno nurseryman R.P.M. Kelly were planted after the literary exercises. Later in the day, trees were also planted at Huffacker School south on Virginia Road and 50 trees were distributed to the students for planting at home.
      C.C. Powning, editor of the Nevada State Journal and developer of a new residential addition along the Truckee River west of town, used the occasion to begin planting 1,000 box elders, locust and elms along his streets, several of which grace that section of town to this day.
     
      Phillip I. Earl is curator of history for the Nevada Historical Society.