Presidents’ Day is a federal holiday celebrated on the third Monday in February. It was originally established in 1885 in recognition of President George Washington, but is now a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents, past and present. You can honor this day by taking a trip to Eden Park.
Several memorial tree Groves have been planted in Eden Park near the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and Krohn Conservatory. The largest is Presidential Grove which has trees planted for US presidents.
This tree Grove was established at the first Arbor Day celebration in Cincinnati on April 27th, 1882 during the American Forestry Association’s first National Congress. It was estimated that over 25,000 people attended this inaugural event. On this memorable day trees were planted for all the US presidents who had served up to that point. Presidential descendants at the ceremony included members of George Washington’s family, Thomas Jefferson’s niece, and William Henry Harrison’s granddaughter. The tradition of tree planting for the president has continued to this day. After a president leaves office they are asked to choose the tree to be planted in their honor in this historic Grove trees have been planted for every president.
One tree to note is that of 44th president of the United States. Planted in Barack Obama’s honor is a young Bur Oak. (Say it out loud: Bur Oak Obama.) The Bur Oak is in the white oak family, which is the state tree of Illinois, where Obama served three terms in the Illinois Senate. Is this an excellent tree pun or mere coincidence?
