The Waynesboro Department of Parks and Recreation hosted an Arbor Day program at Ridgeview Park on April 29, 2011 for the first graders at Westwood Hills Elementary. The first grade class, about eighty students in all, came out for the afternoon to learn a bit about trees, their function and their contributions. In order to keep the kids excited with a variety of activities, Parks and Recreation enlisted the help of the Department of Forestry and a local tree company, Williams Brothers’ Lawn and Tree Service. The day could not have been better- the students, teachers, and other onlookers all enjoyed themselves and walked away knowing a little bit more about trees.    

The day began with a proclamation read by Mayor Frank Lucente followed by the planting of the Arbor Day Tree. A beautiful American Beech, generously donated by the Wenonah Garden Club, was planted. During the planting, the general characteristics of this tree species were discussed hinting at the ‘right tree, right location’ concept. Kids interacted with Parks and Recreation staff by helping shovel dirt into the hole and answering general questions about tree structure and the functions of its parts.

For the rest of the afternoon the students were divided up into four groups to rotate between 20 minute programs led by Parks and Recreation, Department of Forestry, and Williams Brothers’ Tree and Lawn Service. The Williams Brothers’ brought their tree climbing gear and showed the little ones how they do it and how they do it safely. A 60 foot oak was ascended and some smaller limbs were removed.  Patti Nylander with The Department of Forestry discussed proper planting techniques and the benefits of trees in our lives.  Students got to take home their very own evergreen sapling.  Parks and Recreation had the most fun of all with the kids making Sticky Pinecone Birdfeeders. Kids got messy as they learned about how birds and other animals rely on trees for food and shelter.  

 

American beech (Fagus grandifolia) is a "strikingly handsome" tree with tight, smooth, light gray bark, and is the only species of beech tree native to North America.  Beech mast (crop of nuts) is palatable to a large variety of birds and mammals, including mice, squirrels, chipmunks, black bear, deer, foxes, ruffed grouse, ducks, and bluejays.