He who plants a tree plants a hope

Julia Kososki accompanied her grandmother Carol Kososki to the Arbor Day tree planting at Satchel Ford Elementary School.

— Lucy Larson

By John Dixon

Cub@TheColumbiaStar.com

In celebration of Arbor Day, Forest Acres City Council, the Forest Acres Appearance Commission, and City Code enforcement Office Shaun Greenwood gathered at Satchel Ford Elementary Friday December 2, 2006, to present a southern magnolia tree. Satchel Ford Principal Connie Alley said, “It is exciting when the community and the school can work together. A tree is a symbol of love and life…a way the community can blend together. It is an everlasting gift.”

The children in Chris Hass’s third grade class represented the school at the ceremony, and each child in the class received a dogwood seedling to plant at home.

Greenwood, through the help of a Forestry Commission grant, is training to become a certified arborist. He put some of that knowledge to use as he explained to the children how to plant and care for their new trees at home. He also provided them with a printed planting diagram and care instructions to share with their parents.

Greenwood said, “The Appearance Commission wanted a place and a chance to get the community involved in direct maintenance of the aesthetics of the community, and the seedlings were a way to get the kids involved. When they take those seedlings home they will get the parents involved as well.”

Forest Acres Mayor Frank Brunson agreed because many years ago when he was in first grade at Crayton Elementary, he received a dogwood seedling which he and his father planted in their yard. After the proclamation was read, the tree dedicated and the children happily returned to their classrooms with their new seedlings, Mayor Brunson proudly showed off his dogwood growing and thriving in the yard at his father’s hours in Forest Acres.

“I never knew the full value of trees. Under them I breakfast, dine, write, read, and receive my company.”

— Thomas Jefferson