Arbor Day in Nicaragua – Friday June 25th

Arbor Day in Nicaragua is always celebrated on the last Friday of June. This year, 2021 it’s on Friday June 25th.

There are two historical references to this day being created as an official day in Nicaragua. The first goes back to 1929 with an Executive Decree (from President José María Moncada) dated June 1st of that year and published in La Gaceta (the Official Gazette) No. 128, dated June 8th of that year. It declared a “Tree Festival”, a day in honor of Nicaraguan forests.

The second is an Executive Decree in June 1991 by President Violeta Barrios de Chamorro which appears to only reform the date. It refers to the “Tree Festival being instituted with a national character and will be celebrated on the last Friday of June of each year in all the towns of the Republic”.

The reform actually orders the wording to remain the same as the 1929 version in relation to how the day would be celebrated. “By the ministries and institutions related to education, agriculture, the environment, forestry and those carrying out reforestation campaigns, especially of the El Madroño species. The decree ordered those trees to be planted in public squares, parks, highways and the courtyards of each educational center”.

The reference to planting El Madroño (Calycophyllum candidissimum) is that since 1971, it’s been the National Tree of Nicaragua. You will see a lot more on the Madroño (as well as the flag, emblem, bird, flower, and anthem) during the patriotic period leading up to the Nicaraguan Independence Day on September 15th.

This photo is of a majestic Madroño (in bloom) at the back of the baseball diamond in Marsella, San Juan del Sur.

Madroño will grow up to 15 to 20 meters high (50 to 65 feet). The tree will shed its reddish colored bark and the wood is hard with a very fine grain.

Madroño trees bloom from November to February and the highly fragrant white flowers are popular at the time of “La Purísima”, a festival in December which honors the Virgin Mary and is celebrated around the country.

Arbor Day is a day to celebrate trees and the important role they play in the world.

The best thing you could do on Arbor Day in Nicaragua is plant a tree. Un árbol, en español.

See also the “National Reforestation Crusade”.

Trees take carbon dioxide and release oxygen, provide food and shelter for humans and wildlife, provide fruits, nuts and many natural remedies in leaves, flowers and bark. Their roots control soil erosion and their leaves shade the soil to reduce water evaporation. The natural beauty of trees is enjoyed by everybody. Just being around trees can reduce stress.

For these reasons it’s a good thing to have an awareness of protection, conservation and restoration of forests and making good use of natural resources.