Georgia Arbor Day: Why February Beats April for Planting

Georgia celebrates Arbor Day on the third Friday in February—not the national April date—because trees planted October through March establish roots before summer heat stress.

The tradition dates to 1890; the February date was fixed in 1941. Trees Atlanta marks the occasion with a Big Tree Contest (largest specimens inside I-285) and planting events. Their website (treesatlanta.org) offers excellent tree-selection and care guides.