Philomath school kids plant trees on Arbor Day 2016

Philomath Elementary third-graders hold their newly planted seedlings at the Arbor Day celebration.

On April 28, the Philomath Public Works Department celebrated Arbor Day with 120 local school kids. 

At 1 p.m., a swarm of third grade students marched from Philomath Elementary to the Public Works compound, met by a bus-load of kindergartners from Kings Valley Charter School. The kids were energetic and eager to learn about trees, how to plant them, and how to take care of them. They were excited to get their hands dirty. Each would bring their own tree home.

In lieu of a more traditional Arbor Day celebration involving a photo-op of the mayor with a shovel and a tree, Garry Black, operations supervisor of Public Works, invited Mayor Rocky Sloan to help teach local youth about trees.

Sloan started off the afternoon by reading a proclamation declaring the day an official celebration. He then explained to the young crowd the importance of trees, flowers, and bees. 

Black took over after Sloan and told the kids that a single tree can take one million pounds of carbon dioxide out of the air in its lifetime. This is important, he told them, because breathing and driving cars puts carbon dioxide in the air. 

“We plant trees so we can make sure we can have a nice, livable, breathable environment,” Black said.

In preparation for the event, Black applied for and received a $180 grant from Oregon Community Trees — an organization dedicated to healthy urban forests. With the funds, the city purchased four types of seedlings for the kids to plant: white dogwood, redbud, silver maple, and tulip trees. All are ornamental trees. 

There were four planting stations for kids to gather around as they lined up to take their turn. Bill and Kathy Dunn of Dunn & Co Tree Services each ran a station, volunteering their time and expertise. Black and Lige Weedman, certified city arborist, manned the other two stations. 

Soil and biodegradable pots were donated by The Bark Place, and each child was given a brochure with care instructions to take home to their parents.

The day’s celebration also commemorated 22 years of Philomath being recognized as a Tree City USA. Sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation’s movement to “green up” cities across the nation, Tree Cities must meet four standards of sound urban forestry management: have a tree department, have a community tree ordinance, spend at least $2 per citizen on urban forestry, and host an Arbor Day celebration.

“We are currently tied for twelfth out of 56 Oregon Tree Cities,” said Black. “Salem is the oldest at 39 years on the list.” 

Part of being a Tree City is to maintain a healthy tree canopy ratio. The City of Philomath plants up to 30 trees a year to increase trees in city limits. Such trees help keep rivers and streams cool for fish, provide habitat for wildlife, and assist the city’s sustainability. 

“The benefits of the trees and what they affect are far reaching, like soaking up rain water so we don’t need all the infrastructure to take that water away,” said Kevin Fear, Public Works director.

So far this year 19 trees have been planted.

“Forty percent tree canopy in a city is considered a healthy city,” said Fear. “We are at 36 percent.” 

The Arbor Day celebration is a continuation of the city’s efforts to educate citizens on the environmental impact of trees. After the day’s event the kids went home with new knowledge gained, and more trees to plant.

Philomath third-grader, Seth Wood, said what he learned about trees was that “you wouldn’t survive without them.” Fellow third-grader, Alyson Beckwith, said what she learned is that “they make paper.”

Natalie Muir, kindergartner from Kings Valley, plans to plant her tree in her garden where, she said, she is currently growing grass. Mahayla Benoit, fellow kindergartner, also had an idea of where she was going to plant her tree. 

“I think I’m going to plant it in the middle of our house so when we race we can go around it.”

Colten Hurska, Philomath third-grader, was excited about planting his tree because he likes “climbing trees.” He estimated that his seedling will take about four years before it is ready for him to climb. 

For a first-time event, the department was happy with the turnout and the support of local businesses and volunteers.

“I have an amazing Public Works,” said Mayor Rocky Sloan. “The employees are just fabulous.”