Calls grow to move up date of Arbor Day

Due to constantly rising temperatures worldwide caused by global warming, South Korea’s local governments voiced concerns that National Arbor Day should be held earlier in a more suitable tree-planting season.

Currently, Arbor Day falls on April 5, when nationwide tree-planting campaigns and events kick off.

The Korea Forest Service, which has been hosting Arbor Day over the past 70 years, said changing the date would be inappropriate due to its historical significance.

The idea of Arbor Day was first introduced in 1946 to honor the date when Silla Kingdom’s King Munmu planted a tree to celebrate the unification of the three Kingdoms of Korea in 676.

On the same date in 1493, Joseon era King Sung-jong kick-started the agricultural industry in Korea, encouraging farming to the people.

However, because of global warming, city representatives say tree planting should take place earlier.

Jeju Special Self-Governing Province already held its tree-planting event on Feb. 15. Suwon and seven other cities in Gyeonggi Province will hold tree-planting events later this month, at least 10 days earlier than the designated Arbor Day. 

“We have been holding citywide tree-planting events in March (instead of April 5) for the past seven or eight years,” said Choi Jae-gun, an official from Suwon City’s park planning department. 

“Because we decided to plant more trees in parks and boulevards, April is too late. Trees already develop roots around March, since temperatures in downtown areas are warmer than in mountainous regions,” he added.

According to the National Institute of Forest Service, 6.5 degrees Celsius is the most suitable temperature for planting trees. But Korea is seeing temperatures rise higher every year due to global warming.

This is not the first time the government has tried to change the date. In 2009, then-President Roh Moo-hyun urged moving Arbor Day earlier for the better growth of trees. However, his Cabinet opposed the decision, opting to keep the date for its historical significance.

By Kim Da-sol (ddd@heraldcorp.com)