Several new trees were planted in Alta Vista this spring, continuing a tree-planting tradition started in 2014.
On Thursday, April 23, the 5th grade class at Prairie Heights Elementary School planted a tree to celebrate Arbor Day. Alta Vista Tree Board has partnered with PHES 5th graders to plant trees around the school, to provide shade and beauty for students, teachers, and parents.
This year, the class planted a chinkapin oak near the school playground. The tree was provided by the City of Alta Vista. Chinkapin oaks are native to Kansas, and are often found on rocky slopes above creeks and drainages throughout the Flint Hills.
Ryan Armbrust, Alta Vista mayor and tree board chairman, said, “Even though this year’s tree was a little bigger than trees we’ve planted in the past, this year’s 5th grade class had no problem digging a nice big planting hole with great enthusiasm! It’s clear that they’ve been looking forward to adding ‘their tree’ to the playground area as a class tradition. They even gave it a nickname, thanks to Owen Britt – the chinkapin oak apparently answers to the name Bob, the kids say.”
In past years, students have planted a ginkgo, shingle oak, sycamore, redbud, purple locust, white oak, maples, crabapples, and more.
Mrs. Pollock’s 5th grade class that planted the tree was led by Mrs. Hickman this year, and included Henry Armbrust, Chandler Bender, Kamryn Boyd, Owen Britt, Kaydan Collins, Lane Glacken, Ethan Holub, Beatty Mayer, Averi Odell, Stephen Prince, Lacee Robidou, Ross Robidou, Daxton Thrasher, Seth Unruh, and Eclipse Wilcox.
On Saturday, May 2, a ‘Frontier’ elm was planted by the Alta Vista Tree Board to help provide shade at the playground at the City Park. This tree replaces one that was damaged by a contractor while installing the new playground equipment last year. The contractor agreed to cover the cost of a new tree as compensation for the damage. This elm is resistant to Dutch Elm Disease, which will hopefully result in a healthy shade tree for several generations to come.
The Alta Vista Tree Board has led efforts to beautify the community parks and public areas, resulting in recertification each year as a “Tree City USA”, a recognition coordinated by the national Arbor Day Foundation and the Kansas Forest Service. Current members of the Tree Board include Ryan and Laura Armbrust, Jeff Ginnett, Pam Liddick, Perrell Stanley, Taylor Giefer, and Evelyn Dakken.
- Log in or Subscribe to post comments.