People and dogs both love trees, albeit for very different reasons. This Friday, tree lovers of all species can pay homage to the tree during the annual Arbor Day celebration that will be held at the dog park next to the Oxford-Lafayette Humane Society.

A brief program will begin at 10 a.m. At the dog park and is jointly hosted by the Oxford Tree Board and Oxford Garden Club.

“This year’s program is being held at the dog park to highlight recent planting of 35 new shade trees there and to call attention to other improvements at this lesser known but often used recreation facility,” said Cowan Hunter, co-chair of the Oxford Tree Board. “It is hoped the new trees will greatly enhance visits to the dog park for both people and pets in the years to come.”

The program will include the reading of the Arbor Day proclamation that was adopted by the Oxford Board of Aldermen last week, school poster contest awards and words from OLHS Executive Director Jennifer Petermann. Light refreshments will be provided and all are welcome.

The first Arbor Day took place on April 10, 1872, in Nebraska. It was the brainchild of Julius Sterling Morton (1832-1902), a Nebraska journalist and politician originally from Michigan.

In the years following that first Arbor Day, Morton’s idea spread beyond Nebraska and today all 50 states celebrate Arbor Day, although the dates may vary in keeping with the local climate.  President Richard Nixon proclaimed the last Friday in April as National Arbor Day in 1970.

For more information on Oxford’s Arbor Day event, contact Megan Sealy at 662-232 2306 or megan.sealy@oxfordms.net.