Arbor Day, observed on the last Friday in April in Ohio, offers numerous opportunities to celebrate tree planting in central Ohio. This year, Arbor Day falls just three days after Earth Day, which is celebrated on April 22.
Arbor Day originated in 1872 in Nebraska when J. Sterling Morton proposed a day dedicated to tree planting to the state Board of Agriculture. The Arbor Day Foundation estimates that one million trees were planted in Nebraska on the first Arbor Day. Now celebrated in all 50 states, central Ohio hosts a variety of events this week to honor tree planting.
Gahanna Tree Giveaway
Gahanna City Hall, April 21-25, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Gahanna’s Parks and Recreation Department is giving away free tree seedlings at City Hall all week in celebration of Arbor and Earth Days, along with offering growth tips. Visitors can also enter to win a “Scarlet Fire” Chinese dogwood or a Tuliptree.
Bexley’s Earth and Arbor Month: Walkable City Talk
Keynote Event: Walkable City Talk, Wednesday, April 23, 7 p.m.
Bexley will host three author talks on Wednesday, featuring keynote speaker Jeff Speck discussing pedestrian-friendly city planning. Speck, an urban planner and author of “The Walkable City,” will also host a reception and book signing. This event is the 11th of 15 celebrations throughout April.
Arbor Day Tree Tour
Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library and Museums, Friday, April 25, 8 a.m.
The Hayes Presidential Library will offer a historic tree tour of Spiegel Grove, followed by the dedication of an American Sycamore honoring John Bell, the long-time Building and Grounds Superintendent.
Arbor Day Proclamation and Tree Planting
Rose Run Park, Friday, April 25, 9:30 a.m.
New Albany will commemorate Arbor Day with an official proclamation and a tree planting. Local students will assist in planting over 300 trees to enhance the city’s canopy.
Arbor Day Tree Planting
Southeast Village Green in Worthington, Friday, April 25, noon
Worthington invites community members and students to participate in a tree planting on Arbor Day. Attendees will also receive tree saplings to plant at home.
Wildflower Pot Painting
Alum Creek State Park Nature Center, Friday, April 25, 3-5 p.m.
Participants are invited to Alum Creek State Park to paint terracotta pots and take home native wildflower seeds as part of the Earth Day celebration.
Reynoldsburg Arbor Day
Reynoldsburg City Hall, Friday, April 25, 4 p.m.
Reynoldsburg’s Parks and Recreation team will host an Arbor Day event featuring games, tree plantings, educational activities, and a proclamation reading.
Earth and Arbor Day Celebration
Dublin Cemetery and Monterey Park, Saturday, April 26, 9 a.m. to noon
Dublin’s combined Earth and Arbor Day event will be the largest of the month, providing free tree seedlings and planting demonstrations. Attendees can participate in a community planting and an Arboretum Designation ceremony.
Arbor Day Festival
Franklin Park Conservatory, Saturday, April 26, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Franklin Park Conservatory invites visitors for a day of activities celebrating trees, including a tree scavenger hunt, educational booths, family karaoke, vendors, food, and tree climbing.
Arbor Day Celebration 2025
OSU’s Kottman Hall Patio, Saturday, April 26, 10-11:30 a.m.
Ohio State University will host a celebration of newly planted trees, honoring the 2025 recipients of three tree-related awards. Participants can enjoy coffee and cake during the event.
Upper Arlington Arbor Day Celebration
Tremont Elementary School, Friday, May 2, 1:15-2 p.m.
Upper Arlington will continue its tradition of celebrating Arbor and Earth Days with a tree planting at a local school. This year, 120 elementary school students will plant three Honeylocust trees.