In tune with tradition, Toulcův Dvůr will prepare the entertainment whereby a whole week is being reserved for the trees; celebrations will end with an entertaining and educational afternoon program on the events anniversary day. The program has also been produced by the Dendrological Garden Association in Průhonice and the Partnership Foundation, who will on this occasion also announce a Tree of the Year (this year on the 17.10.).

History of trees in Czech Republic

 Svaz spolků okrašlovacích (The Union of Decorative Associations) have been organizing large scale tree celebrations in the Czech Republic since 1906, for example at: Libeznice, Roudnice, Liboc and Podoli near Prague, Dobris, Kourim, Luznice nad Vltavou, Blovice, Sedlcany, Spalene Porici, Druzice near Kladno, Pribram, Sedlice near Blatna, Bojanov, Horice, Plzen, Krive at Morava, Nove Pace, Ceska Trebova, Krcin, Ricany, Cekanice near Blatna, Zdobin and Trotin, Kysperk, Napajedla and Prstice near Brno, Klatovy, Radotin, Nesvacily near Rozmital. That year a Husova lime tree was planted under Petrin hill in Prague, a year before, in 1905, celebrations also took place in Potstyn, and Kralupy nad Vltavou. In Prague there was the planting of a lime tree Jarnikova at the exhibition ground. In autumn, at Veletrusy, another was planted. In the regions: Sedlcansky, Plzensky, Zamberecky, Rokycansky, Novopacky, Blatensky, Vinohradsky were amongst others which celebrated, Tree Days also took place in many schools collectively in particular regions. Here is a snippet of news about the general meeting of the Union of Decorative Associations, from “Beauty of Our Home”, 1906, page 147.

Beauty of Our Home has more detailed news about many other activities as well. In 1906 the Union published a book called, Guide to Organizing Tree Festivities.

Tree celebrations took place at the beginning of April. In Sedlcany, in 1906, the tree celebrations were held for the fifth time. In 1920, the Ministry of Education supported Tree day with a ruling from 27th March, 1919, number 6708. It was stated that the events which took place in previous years were very successful, both materialistically and spiritually. Tens of thousands of trees have been planted, love for nature and for trees have been awoken in many hearts. (See Beauty of Our Home, 1920)

The old Czechoslovakian tradition was renewed in the Czech Republic in 2000. The Director of Botanical Garden UK (Charles University), a famous tree fan Václav Větvička and wood sculptor Martin Patričný came up with revitalizing the tradition. The date of the first celebration was set for 20.10.2000. Why this particular date? There were several reasons. Firstly, in many locations of the Czech Republic, this is a good time to plant trees. Autumn is also a time when trees are at the most beautiful and mingle all sorts of colors together. Another reason was that for the wood sculptor, the shape of the figures 20.10.2000 had a special aesthetic appeal. To top it off, is the fact that the great chanson singer, Hana Hegerova, has a birthday on that day. Although her concert for trees in 2000 didn’t happen, she sang to the trees in 2002 instead. The Partnership Foundation further developed the idea of Tree Day celebrations. On this day the results of a nation wide competition, Tree of the Year, are revealed. Tree celebrations are slowly becoming a renewed tradition around the whole country. Tree Day is being celebrated on 20th October, not only in Czech Republic, but also in Poland and Slovakia. So, this is how 20th of October, became a Central Europe Tree Day.