Celebrating Arbor Day in Sherwood Arboretum

​​​Christ the King School celebrated a special day set aside world-wide for planting trees.

Students from CTK School gathered at the Sherwood Arboretum on Friday, 13 October along with Brisbane Botanic Gardens and the Friends of Sherwood Arboretum to take part in the Arboretum's Arbor Day project. Six students helped landscape the high ground overlooking the playgrounds and main picnic shelter.

 The enthusiastic green thumbs helped plant new native trees and ground covers in this botanic treasure, which is home to more than 1,300 Australian native trees.

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Mr Sullivan with Aurelia, Francesca, Amelia, Charlie, Harriet and Ita attending the Arbor Day celebrations at Sherwood Arboretum on Friday, 13 October, 2023.​ Photo courtesy Phil Hargreaves. © Brisbane Catholic Education, Christ the King School, Graceville (2023)


​​Brisbane's new native floral emblem 

The highlight of the of the Arbor Day project​ was the addition of three Brisbane Wattles, a tree species the Brisbane City Council recently selected, following community feedback, for our city's new native floral emblem.

The Brisbane Wattle joins the Red Poinsettia, a native plant of Mexico and Central America, originally chosen by the Council in 1930, which now grows well in our sub-tropical climate. 

Before the planting CTK School students participated in a discussion under the giant fig trees with Brisbane Botanic Gardens assistant curator, Prue McGruther, on the key role fire plays in shaping Australia's bushland.

Also attending the Arbor Day project were students from St Joseph's Primary School, Corinda, Oxley State School and Corinda State School.​

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CTK School students participated in a discussion with Brisbane Botanic Gardens assistant curator, Prue McGruther, on the key role fire plays in shaping Australia's bushland. Photo courtesy Phil Hargreaves. © Brisbane Catholic Education, Christ the King School, Graceville (2023)


​More than 130 years of history in Queensland

Arbor Day in Queensland is a tradition dating back 133 years. It began on 1 August, 1890 when the then-curator of Brisbane Botanic Gardens, Philip MacMahon, distributed almost 2,500 trees to schools.

However, Arbor Day has a history dating back to April 1872, when enterprising United States journalist and politician, Julius Sterling Morton persuaded his fellow Nebraskans to plan more than 1 million trees to improve the State.

Today, Arbor Day is celebrated in more than 50 countries.