Villanueva de la Sierra is a municipality located in the province of Cáceres, Extremadura, Spain.

[2] While Napoleon was ravaging Europe with his ambition in this village in the Sierra de Gata lived a priest, don Ramón Vacas Roxo, which, according to the chronicles, "convinced of the importance of trees for health, hygiene, decoration, nature, environment and customs, decides to plant trees and give a festive air.

The festival began on Carnival Tuesday with the ringing of two bells of the church, and the Middle and the Big.

After the Mass, and even coated with church ornaments, don Ramón, accompanied by clergies, teachers and a large number of neighbours, planted the first tree, a poplar, in the place known as Valley of the Ejido.

He drafted a manifesto in defence of the trees that was sent to surrounding towns to spread the love and respect for nature, and also he advised to make tree plantations in their localities.Arbor Day is celebrated every Carnival Tuesday and is an important day in the local festival calendar.