International Day of Forests

The International Day of Forests was established on the 21st day of March, by resolution of the United Nations General Assembly on November 28, 2012. Each year, various events celebrate and raise awareness of the importance of all types of forests, and trees outside forests, for the benefit of current and future generations. Countries are encouraged to undertake efforts to organize local, national, and international activities involving forests and trees, such as tree planting campaigns, on International Day of Forests. The Secretariat of the United Nations Forum on Forests, in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization, facilitates the implementation of such events in collaboration with governments, the Collaborative Partnership on Forests, and international, regional and subregional organizations. International Day of Forests was observed for the first time on March 21, 2013.

Australia

Aussies love trees. Australia celebrates Arbor Week, which regionally occurs at varying times throughout the year. The country’s Arbor Day is in June, and National Tree Day falls on the last weekend in July.

Brazil

In Brazil, Dia da Arvore is celebrated on September 21. It used to be held on June 7 but was moved to coincide with the beginning of spring in the Southern Hemisphere. In Araras, Sao Paulo, it has been celebrated every year since the first Festa das ’Arvores on June 7, 1902.

Barbados

Barbados celebrates Arbor Day on September 22.

Bulgaria

Bulgaria’s National Forest Day is celebrated during the first week of April.

Canada

In Canada, Maple Leaf Day falls on the last Wednesday in September during National Forest Week. Ontario celebrates Arbor Week from the last Friday in April to the first Sunday in May. And Nova Scotia celebrates Arbor Day on the Thursday of National Forest Week.

China

In China, Arbor Day is a public holiday on celebrated on March 12.

The date was chosen to commemorate the passing of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, known as the father of modern China, in 1925.

Northern Marianna Islands

The Commonwealth of the Northern Marianna Islands (CNMI) celebrates Arbor Day on October 1 every year. The Governor of the CNMI traditionally conducts a Proclamation of Arbor Day on the last week of September. Celebrations generally extend into an Arbor Month throughout the month of October.

Germany

Germans celebrate Tag des Baumes on April 25.

Guam

In Guam, Arbor Day is celebrated on the second Tuesday in October.

Holland

Holland celebrates with Dutch National Tree Festival each year last week in March.

Iceland

Iceland holds Students’ Afforestation Day.

India

India celebrates the National Festival of Tree Planting.

Israel

In Israel, Tu Bishvat or Tu B'Shevat (New Year of the Trees) is celebrated on the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Shevat.

Japan

The Japanese celebrate Midori Noni (Greenery Week) in late April.

Jordan

Jordan’s Arbor Day is January 15.

Korea

Korea celebrates Tree-Loving Week in early April.

Malta

Malta celebrates Arbor Day on January 15 every year.

Mexico

Mexico celebrates Dia del Arbol in July.

Namibia

Namibia’s national Arbor Day celebration takes place the second Friday in October. A national tree chosen as the Tree of the Year.

New Zealand

New Zealand celebrates Arbor Day on June 5.

Philippines

Philippines celebrates the Philippine Arbor Day on June 25.

Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico celebrates Arbor Day on the last Friday in September.

The Island Territory of St. Maarten

The St. Maarten National Day of Trees is held on March 22 each year.

Scotland

Scotland celebrates Scottish Branch Arbor Day.

South Africa

South Africa celebrates Arbour Week on September 1–7.

Spain

Spain has Fiesta del Arbol (Tree Festival) on March 26. It is the anniversary of the day King Alfonso planted a pine tree near Madrid in 1895.

Togo

Togo celebrates Togolese Arbor Day.

Tunisia

Tunisia's Tree Festival Day is November 9.

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom celebrates National Tree Week at the start of tree planting season in November. They also celebrate National Tree Dressing Day on the first weekend in December.

United States

United States, National Arbor Day is celebrated on the last Friday in April. Each state celebrates its own Arbor Day according to the best planting time.

The Virgin Islands

The Virgin Islands celebrates Arbor Day the last Friday in September.

Western Samoa

In Western Samoa, Arbor Day is the first Friday in November.

Yemen

Each year, Save Yemen’s Flora & Fauna (SYFF) celebrates Yemen Arbor Day during its best tree planting time for that year.