Arbor Day, a holiday that celebrates the planting, care and preservation of trees, is on Dec. 6 in South Carolina for 2024.

While many states observe it in April, South Carolina celebrates Arbor Day on the first Friday of December. This timing aligns with the planting season, which runs from December through mid-March, according to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. 

Here's a list of when each state celebrates Arbor Day, according to the Arbor Day Foundation: 

1. Alabama : Last full week of February
2. Alaska: Third Monday in May
3. Arizona: Last Friday in April
4. Arkansas: Third Monday in March
5. California: March 7-14
6. Colorado: Third Friday in April
7. Connecticut: Last Friday in April
8. Delaware: Last Friday in April
9. Florida: Third Friday in January
10. Georgia: Third Friday in February
11. Hawaii: First Friday in November
12. Idaho: Last Friday in April
13. Illinois: Last Friday in April
14. Indiana: Last Friday in April
15. Iowa: Last Friday in April
16. Kansas: Last Friday in April
17. Kentucky: First Friday in April
18. Louisiana: Third Friday in January
19. Maine: Third Full Week in May
20. Maryland: First Wednesday in April
21. Massachusetts: Last Friday in April
22. Michigan: Last Friday in April
23. Minnesota: Last Friday in April
24. Mississippi: Second Friday in February
25. Missouri: First Friday in April
26. Montana: Last Friday in April
27. Nebraska: Last Friday in April
28. Nevada: Last Friday in April
29. New Hampshire: Last Friday in April
30. New Jersey: Last Friday in April
31. New Mexico: Second Friday in March
32. New York: Last Friday in April
33. North Carolina: First Friday following March 15
34. North Dakota: First Friday in May
35. Ohio: Last Friday in April
36. Oklahoma: Last Full Week of March
37. Oregon: The month of April
38. Pennsylvania: Last Friday in April
39. Rhode Island: Last Friday in April
40. South Carolina: First Friday in December
41. South Dakota: Last Friday in April
42. Tennessee: First Friday in March
43. Texas: First Friday in November
44. Utah: Last Friday in April
45. Vermont: First Friday in May
46. Virginia: Last Friday in April
47. Washington: Second Wednesday in April
48. West Virginia: Second Friday in April
49. Wisconsin: Last Friday in April
50. Wyoming: Last Monday in April

But what exactly do trees do, and why are they important?

According to The Nature Conservancy, trees protect and help the environment in various ways. They absorb greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change, storing carbon dioxide in their wood and slowing the buildup of this harmful gas in the atmosphere.

Trees also remove particulate matter, a type of air pollution that poses a danger to human lungs.

In addition, trees filter the water we drink by removing pollutants and sediment from rain. Trees can also save money. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that planting three trees strategically can reduce a household’s energy bill by as much as $250.

Trees also provide wildlife with homes and spaces to explore.

Arbor Day began in 1872 when Nebraska newspaper editor J. Sterling Morton began advocating for trees and those who plant them. Morton emphasized the importance of better farming methods as well as conservation programs.

 Despite his busy career, Morton planted thousands of trees on the Morton Ranch, his homestead.

Morton eventually became secretary of the Nebraska Territory and proposed the idea of a tree-planting holiday to the Nebraska Board of Agriculture, naming it Arbor Day.

The first celebration took place on April 10, 1872, and counties and individuals who planted the most trees were offered prizes. More than 1 million trees were planted in Nebraska that day.

In 1885, Arbor Day was designated a legal state holiday in Nebraska. By 1920, more than 45 states and territories were celebrating the holiday.

Today, Arbor Day is recognized in all 50 states, with thousands of people planting and caring for trees each year.

The Arbor Day Foundation, established in 1972, offers various resources to help people get involved and learn more about the importance of trees and the different kinds. The foundation also recognizes cities, towns and states for their efforts to plant and care for trees.

Over the years, the foundation has planted more than 500 million trees worldwide.

The foundation encourages individuals and communities to continue planting and nurturing trees, as they ultimately benefit us all. Its mission is to plant another 500 million trees by 2027.

Learn more about planting trees at arborday.org.