Forest hammock of slash pine and saw palmetto, Everglades National Park, Florida, United States

A tribute to trees. Arbor Day

Arbor Day celebrates the quiet power of trees—the way they steady ecosystems, shelter wildlife, cool cities and shape the environments we rely on every day. Observed in the United States on the last Friday in April, the day encourages communities there—and in many other countries, where dates vary with the growing season—to plant, protect and care for forests of every kind.

While Canada does not observe a single national Arbor Day, it promotes tree planting and conservation through initiatives such as National Forest Week. Just how vast are Canada's forests? They cover 3.69 million square kilometres, making up about 9% of the world's total forest area. That's a lot of trees doing a lot of work. Each year, a mature tree can take in over 20 kilograms of carbon dioxide, helping to keep ecosystems in balance. From urban planting drives to the protection of sweeping boreal landscapes, these efforts show a shared commitment to greener futures—one tree at a time.