SAN ANTONIO, Texas – It is a new day for trees.

Citizens across the state were encouraged to participate in Texas Arbor Day today, for the second time this year. 

Texas State Rep. Joe Farias, Texas A&M Forest Service and Texas A&M University San Antonio held the official ceremony on the San Antonio campus celebrating Texas Arbor Day today.

 During the 83^rd Texas Legislative Session the passing of new legislation, H.B. 419, authored by Rep. Farias recognized the first Friday in November as Texas Arbor Day, As opposed to the last Friday in April when Arbor Day was previously celebrated in Texas.

“As foresters and arborists, we are excited about kicking off tree planting season in November,” Texas A&M Forest Service Urban Forestry Manager, Pete Smith said. “Fall is really the best time of year to plant trees across the state, no matter where you live.”

Planting trees this time of year gives them a better chance of surviving the Texas summers.

Texas first observed Arbor Day in 1889, celebrating the benefits that trees provide over a lifetime. The annual state celebration is held in a different city each year