ITEM PHOTO BY OWEN O’ROURKE
Ty Son was one of the first students to put mulch on one of the newly planted trees during an Arbor Day celebration.
BY MICHELE DURGIN
LYNN — Hood Elementary School students planted a pair of trees in front of the school on Tuesday to celebrate Arbor Day.
“This is great because trees are good for the air,” said 8-year-old Raphael.
About 75 second grade students were joined by teachers, parents and school administrators, city employees and Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy. The group gathered around the school’s front lawn as the oak and dogwood were sown.
“Trees are important for the environment,” said Jason Dumas, the city’s tree warden. “It’s always a good thing when we can plant more for everyone to enjoy.”
Arbor Day was first celebrated on April 10, 1872 in Nebraska City, Neb., and made history when more than 1 million trees were planted statewide.
By 1920, about 45 states had joined the observation. Today, all 50 states participate. National Arbor Day is typically celebrated on the last Friday in April.
But many states observe it on different dates throughout the year based on best tree planting times in their region. Communities hold ceremonies marking a special day to plant or even hug a tree.
The boys and girls enjoyed the time out of the classroom and delighted in planting the five-foot trees.
“I love the thought that, in 15 or 20 years, these two small trees will be as big as the other ones nearby,” said Superintendent Catherine Latham. “And they will bring back happy memories of all of us here together today.”
Principal Gail Dufour said the Hood staff spent two weeks planning the event and were excited for the day to finally arrive.
“The youngsters have been working on a song that celebrates trees and what they provide for everyone,” she said. “It is titled ‘That’s What Life’s About.’”
And with that, the children, the mayor and the superintendent took shovels, filled them with mulch and sprinkled it over the freshly planted baby trees.
“I can’t wait to come back here in 20 years, when I am grown up, and take a picture of these trees because they will be all grown up too,” said Wilma, a second-grader.
