Madison Sixth-Graders Celebrate Earth Day, Arbor Day
Posted
David Slone-dslone@timesuniononline.com
Madison Elementary sixth-grade students spent Wednesday morning celebrating Earth Day and looked to Arbor Day by planting trees.
Earth Day was Wednesday and Arbor Day is Friday.
The 25 students from Doug Hoffert's sixth-grade class worked with Northern Indiana Public Service Co. employees to plant three redbud trees. Davey Tree Expert Co. and Arbor Metrics Solutions Inc. assisted in the efforts
The trees were planted on the northwest corner of Central Park at the intersection of Indiana and Canal streets.
The trees were grown at LaPorte County Landscape, and NIPSCO has a contract with the company to do tree-planting replacements. The replacements allow NIPSCO to remove trees and replace them.
In March NIPSCO employees cut down nine trees in Central Park area that were getting to close to power lines.
"The students are planting the trees to replace ones that were cut down," said Warsaw Park Superintendent Jon Garber. "It's important for the students to learn the proper techniques for planting trees and the importance of the trees and what the trees do for our environment."
The students were asked what items they use that come from trees. The students answered oxygen, paper, pencils, food, furniture and houses.
The students learned the word arbor means tree in Latin, and that Arbor Day is a holiday in which individuals are encouraged to plant trees.
Kent Adams, Warsaw Community School Corp. board member, read a proclamation for Arbor Day.
In 1872, J. Sterling Morton proposed to the Nebraska Board of Agriculture that a special day be set aside for the planting of trees.
Arbor Day was first observed with the planting of more than a million trees in Nebraska. Arbor Day is now observed throughout the nation and the world.
John Stout, NIPSCO supervisor for forestry operations, assisted the students with planting the trees.
"I think it is a great opportunity when students can learn something outside of their classroom," Stout said.
"They can sit in a classroom and read about the environment, but to get out and participate in it gives them something they can come back with their families and show them that they planted the trees," Stout said.
Stout discussed the importance of planting trees. The students learned there are three main parts to a tree including roots, a trunk, and branches and leaves. He instructed the students to only plant the roots underground.
"When trees touch power lines it is a safety hazard for people and electrical distribution," Stout said.
Stout said the trees that were taken out could potentially grow and interfere with power lines. He said the trees that were planted Wednesday were lower-growing trees and won't grow to a height that will interfere with power lines.
There also are plans to plant two pink hawthorne trees and two japanese lilac trees, and two white hawthorne trees.
Hoffert said he was glad his class had the opportunity to plant the trees.
"I have always enjoyed the beauty of trees, and I hope my students will come away with learning the importance of trees that they will carry in their lives for many years," Hoffert said.
Jason Melgoza, a sixth-grade Madison student, planted a tree for the first time Wednesday.
"It's fun and educational to learn about how to plant a tree and then be able to do it," Melgoza said.
His classmate, Manuel Rodriquez, said he used his experience of previously planting a tree at home in Wednesday's tree planting.
