Delaware Department of
Agriculture

Arbor Day Poster Contest

2025 Theme: Trees are Terrific…and Color Our World!

Trees are a source of inspiration and enrichment throughout the year, as their appearance changes with the seasons. Redbuds, dogwoods, and cherry trees bloom pink flowers in the spring. The red maple is known for its red flowers, red leaf stems (petioles), red seeds (samaras), and red leaves in the fall! The American beech can be appreciated for its grey bark throughout the year, and sweet gums’ leaves turn orange, red, yellow, and even purple in the fall.

Since 1872, Arbor Day has been observed as a special day to plant trees and celebrate their many benefits!

Poorna Shankar, a fourth-grader from North Star Elementary School in Hockessin, is the 2025 Overall State Winner.

This year, Arbor Day will be observed in Delaware on Friday, April 25, 2025.

The Delaware Forest Service’s Arbor Day Poster Contest helps increase knowledge about trees and forest resources and is a great way for students to learn more about the role of trees in our communities and their direct impact on Delawareans’ health and well-being. This year’s theme highlights the long-lasting impact of planting a tree and the benefits it continues to provide to our community.

Planting a tree is a fun activity we can enjoy today, knowing that the tree will continue to improve our lives over time. Trees planted throughout our communities not only provide beauty but help shade our streets and schoolyards and create habitat and food for wildlife. Awareness of the difference between tree species helps in selecting the proper tree to plant in a given location based on site conditions, temperature and soil.

The poster contest was open to all K-5 public, private, homeschool, after-school, and other organized youth groups. Posters are judged on originality, use of theme, neatness, and artistic expression. Each winner receives a gift card, a tree-themed book, and a tree planting at their school. Twelve winners are selected – one from each county – in four grade categories: kindergarten, grades 1 and 2, grades 3 and 4, and grade 5.

The 12 winners are invited to the annual Statewide Arbor Day Celebration!

For questions and more information, contact:

Ashley Melvin, Trainer-Educator ashley.melvin@delaware.gov