Hug a Tree, Happy Arbor Day

Friday, April 27 is Arbor Day in the United States.  Many countries have a version of Arbor Day.  The first dates to 1594 in Spain.  There are also some amazing forests in the World including the Black Forest, the Arashiyama Bamboo Groove, and of course the Amazon.  But, here we will focus on Arbor Day, plus some of the best forests you can visit, in our own country.

History of Arbor Day

The first American Arbor Day was celebrated on April 10, 1872.  It was founded by J. Sterling Morton of Nebraska City, Nebraska.  The plains of Nebraska are not known for their trees.  Morton hoped to break up the monotony of the flat, grassy landscape by encouraging the planting of trees.  He also felt that trees could serve as windbreaks that would protect crops and control erosion. The fact that Morton was the editor of the local paper, acting governor of the state, and eventually the Secretary of Agriculture under Grover Cleveland helped him spread the word and create this national holiday.

Arbor Lodge Nebraska

So, without further ado we dedicate the rest of this article to the sites and gay scene of Nebraska City!  Just kidding.  Although if you really love Arbor Day, or have time to kill in Nebraska, you can visit the Arbor Lodge State Historical Park and Arboretum.  The site contains Morton’s 52 room mansion, which was modeled after the White House, as well as gardens.  Morton’s son, who founded Morton Salt, did additional work on the house.  Given their wealth the house is more impressive than one would expect for such a small town.  But, we want to celebrate trees themselves.  The following are some of the best forests in America that you can visit and admire their majesty.

California Redwoods & Sequoia

California is known for its redwoods, and there are several places to visit these, the tallest trees in the World. The first is Redwood National and State Parks located in extreme Northern coastal California.  If your main goal is to experience nature and large swaths of forest, this is your best bet.  But, there is also Muir Woods National Monument in Marin County.  Most of the redwoods in this area were cut down by loggers to help build California.  But, these survived due to their difficult to access canyon location.  The old growth redwoods are beautiful, but now they are also very accessible.  You can get there by shuttle from Sausalito.  You can also spend the rest of a long weekend enjoying the scene in nearby San Francisco.

Closer to our home base in Southern California is Sequoia National Park.  This forest is located in the Southern Sierra Nevada Mountains near Visalia.  The park was founded in 1890, which is old by California standards.  But, it is not old compared to the trees.  Some of them are over 3,500 years old.  Sequoias are the World’s largest trees by volume, and the park’s General Sherman Tree is considered the largest tree on Earth.  As if the trees weren’t enough, the park also contains Mount Whitney and is adjacent to King’s Canyon National Park.  So, there are multiple opportunities for outdoor adventure.

Alaska’s Tongass National Forest

If you’re in the mood to travel significantly farther north, you can visit the largest National Forest in America.  At 17 million acres, Tongass National Forest in Alaska’s panhandle is massive.  This temperate rain forest, about the same size as Ireland, is filled with hemlock, Sitka spruce, and cedar.  The mountainous terrain, fjords, and glaciers make for a truly spectacular setting.  Outdoor enthusiasts could spend days hiking its trails.  But, an Alaskan cruise also gives you the opportunity to experience this natural wonder with less effort.

The Midwest’s Forests

The Midwest may not be known for its forests, but the region that gave us Arbor Day does have one worth the trip.  The 1,000,000 acres Superior National Forest is in Northern Minnesota near Canada.  In addition to the lush forest canopy, the area is also the home of Grey Wolves, lynx, black bears, and moose.  An added bonus is that this park contains the Boundary Waters. This region of lakes, rivers and streams offers some of the best canoeing and freshwater fishing in America.  It also offers beautiful foliage colors in the fall.

East Coast Forests

Speaking of fall foliage is the White Mountain National Forest in New Hampshire.  This forest of about 800,000 acres is one of the largest natural areas on the East Coast.  The park also contains Mount Washington, the Northeast’s highest peak.  Spruce and fir trees dominate at the higher elevations.  The maple, oak, birch and other trees at lower elevations provide the vibrant fall colors.

Apologies to the Appalachian Trail and all the other worthwhile destinations that we don’t have time to cover.  But, if you’re interested in experiencing the beauty of trees this summer, or fall, let Purple Light Vacations help you plan your next adventure.

Purple Light Vacations provides you with the knowledge, insight and personalized service to make your vacation all you want it to be at no additional cost. We help you travel in the know wherever you go. To get started, fill out this quick form or call 619.324.1444 (ext. 3).