In Da Woods

by Melanie B. Fullman, US Forest Service

The kids at Washington Elementary have done it again! About 32 first graders planted more than 50 trees in the school nursery. Those trees will eventually become street and park trees for the City of Bessemer.

Kids for Trees for Kids

The City of Bessemer currently pays $100+ for each 1-2” diameter tree it buys. At that price, the very limited budget only allows them to purchase a few trees each year. The Washington Elementary trees will be sold to the City by the same kids that planted them – in 5 years. At a considerably reduced cost, usually about $10 apiece, the future City Council should be able to afford all the trees each class has grown.

The concept is simple. Each year’s 1^st graders plant a variety of native tree seedlings at EJ Oas Field. Tree species vary each year, including those that will grow into short, medium, or tall trees. As 2^nd - 6^th graders, the students tend their trees with quick visits in the fall and/or following spring. Such care mostly consists of weeding and making sure the fencing is still secure.

In the sixth spring, the then 6^th graders will negotiate the sale of their trees to the City. Depending on species, some of the saplings are likely to have outgrown the students, reaching heights of 4-6’ and a diameter of a ½-1”.

The seedlings were donated by the US Forest Service JW Toumey Nursery in Watersmeet. Light-weight, but critical, deer fencing was bought with grant funding from the Gogebic Conservation District and at a discounted rate from Steiger’s. Local farmer and school board member Butch Semmerling dug the furrow into which the baby trees were planted and Washington Head Teacher Gene Goss coordinated the classes. If needed, the city public works crews or fire department will water them during the summer.

In addition to learning why and how to grow trees, the students will get to use the proceeds from the sale of their trees however they want. In other places, that’s usually been to help purchase new playground equipment and/or have a small celebration (like a Pizza Party!).

Down & Dirty

Just after lunch on Wednesday, May 25, 30+ wiggly 1^st graders from Ms. Jonelle France and Ms. Kellie Pitrone’s 2011 classes trooped out to the planting site. Working in small groups, they planted northern red oaks, yellow birch, red pine, and chokecherry seedlings.

Since the trees will be used in a variety of locations around town, the students were told how different trees grow and the importance of putting the “right tree” in the “right place”. Species that mature as shorter trees, such as chokecherry, can be planted in shorter spaces, while taller trees, like oaks, pines, and birch, must be planted in taller spaces. No sticking a red oak, which can grow to 70’+, under an awning or overhanging roof, please!

Proper tree planting techniques was also stressed. The students did most of the work, digging the holes, taking turns holding the trees, making sure roots were straight and pointing DOWN, and packing – not stomping – the ground around each seedling. Of course, teachers and some parents helped, too (thank you!!!). In just over two hours, 50 baby trees were checking out their new growing spots in the school nursery.

As further encouragement, each student got to take home a spruce seedling to plant at their place or at a neighbor’s or other relative’s. It’s fun to think how shaded and “cool” Bessemer might become in the next 20 years.

To make everything official, City Mayor John Frello read an Arbor Day proclamation. We’re not sure but it may have been the first time in the city’s history that an official Arbor Day celebration was conducted. Mayor Frello helped plant some trees, too!

Check Out Their Trees

As the class of 2011 finished their work, they checked out the trees planted by the class before, commenting on the size and vigor. About 80% of the trees from the 2010 planting are still alive, including a few ‘late bloomers’ whose survival seemed somewhat tenuous last summer. The vast majority are healthy and ready to spend a whole season growing.

For some youngsters, the thrill of the day was getting planting trees, while for others it was getting dirt on their shoes or collecting worms. A odd looking grub (dis-)attracted attention for a while. Kids promised, and are welcome, to come back this summer to check on their trees. Neighbors, parents, and interested residents are encouraged to do so as well. Feel free to pull a weed or two; maybe remove a bit of grass to lessen competition for water.

Finally, kudos to Steven Kickert, the Ottawa Forest’s new Environmental Education Coordinator, for helping plant the trees and leading the classes in a fun tree game. If you know of a class or youth group that would like a presentation on anything in the woods, please contact Steve to arrange a speaker or nature-based activity: 358-4018 or stevekickert@fs.fed.us.

There’s a small, rather short ‘woods’ near Washington Elementary. Hope to see YOU there!