“Arbor days should be changed due to rising temperatures in spring”
A plan to move Arbor Day (April 5) to mid-March is being promoted.
A cypress forest in the middle of Donnaeko Valley in Jeju Island. Central photo
According to the Forest Service on the 4th, the necessity of changing the arbor day is being raised due to the increase in spring temperature and the physiological change of trees. In this regard, an official from the Forest Service said, “There have been several discussions in the past that the Arbor Day should be changed, but we have not been able to reach a conclusion.”
Arbor Day was designated as April 5, 1946, immediately after liberation. It originated from the fact that Seongjong of Joseon planted trees on March 10, 1493 (April 5 in the solar calendar). Arbor Day was a public holiday until 2005.
Children are planting trees at the Daegu Early Childhood Education Promotion Center in Dalseo-gu, Daegu. yunhap news
However, it was pointed out that “April 5 is too late to plant trees as the spring temperature rises.” Since the 1940s, the average temperature around Arbor Day has risen by more than 3 degrees Celsius. As the weather gets warmer, the time when the frozen land in winter melts is getting faster. In addition, trees should be planted before leaves appear on the seedlings to supply nutrients to the roots well. The opinion of forest experts is that by the time of planting these days, there are already leaves or inefficiency. Some local governments are already promoting their own planting events in March, as early as February.
“56% of the people also approve of the change”
Even in the public opinion poll conducted by the Forest Service, there were many opinions that the arbor day should be accelerated. As a result of a recent poll by the Forest Service of 1,000 people, 56% of respondents said that the Arbor Day should be moved to March. 37.2% of respondents said that the Arbor Day date should be kept as it is.
Reasons in favor of the change of the arbor day were that’the temperature rose enough in March’ and’planting in March is more suitable for tree growth’. On the other hand, the reason for keeping the Arbor Day as it was was’Existing perception of the current Arbor Day’ and’Low March temperature when planting trees’.
Birch forest in Wondae-ri, Inje-gun, Gangwon-do. yunhap news
An official from the Forest Service said, “Scientifically, it is correct to move the arbor day to March.” Major candidates for the new Arbor Day are March 21, the’World Forest Day’ or March 20, the day before.
On the other hand, it was known as’Arbor Day is April 5th’, and some say whether it is necessary to change it. In fact, in 2009, the change of the Arbor Day date was discussed and it was raised to the agenda of the State Council, but it was concluded that the Arbor Day should be left as it is, considering the historical and symbolic nature of Arbor Day.
Many government agencies are drinking water on April 5th.
Many government agencies and local governments are holding planting events on April 5. Previous presidents also held a commemorative planting event on Arbor Day to encourage the people to plant trees. President Moon Jae-in also planted pine trees on the grounds of the Blue House on April 5, 2018. On Arbor Day last year, a planting event was held at a site damaged by forest fires in Gangwon-do.
In the National Arboretum under the Forest Service, trees planted by the President on Arbor Day are growing. President Park Chung-hee’s ginkgo tree, President Chun Doo-hwan’s German spruce tree, President Roh Tae-woo’s secret tree, President Kim Young-sam’s return, and President Kim Dae-jung’s pine tree.
The Korea Forest Service explained, “There are many tasks to be solved, such as having to go through consultations with government-related ministries in order to change the arbor day.”
Daejeon = Reporter Kim Bang-hyun [email protected]
