Hanscom to celebrate Arbor Day on April 26 Published April 17, 2013 By Matt Hamilton Civil Engineering community planner HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- Base personnel are invited to mark their calendars for the last Friday in April, the 26th anniversary of Arbor Day. Arbor Day originated in Nebraska in 1872. The holiday quickly spread and is now celebrated in all 50 states and around the globe. Hanscom's contribution this year will be to plant two pear trees along Eglin Street, continuing a long range plan to transform the corridor into a tree-lined avenue. The additional trees will provide shade, color and other environmental benefits. Traditionally, Arbor Day is held on the last Friday in April and is meant to celebrate all the ways in which trees enrich people's lives. Trees at Hanscom help to clean the air, conserve soil, moderate temperature and bring nature into a person's daily life. It also brings awareness to the dangers and long-term damage deforestation can have. By understanding and appreciating the role trees have in the environment, the community can begin to realize the importance of Arbor Day. This year's tree planting ceremony will take place April 26 at 1 p.m. on the east side of Eglin Street, across from the clinic. All Hanscom community members are invited to attend and help celebrate the event alongside local youth from Hanscom Middle School and Col. Lester A. Weilacher, 66th Air Base Group commander. For further information about Arbor Day or the tree planting ceremony, call 781-225-2953.