This picture is "snot" what you think.

Members of the tree commission prepare red maples seedlings to hand out on two occasions. They scoop "elephant snot" into a plastic bag, drop in the tree, then tie up the bag.

"Elephant snot" (that"s what it looks like) is actually a compound that retains a large amount of water, thus if the tree is left in the bag for several days, the plant continues to live.

Twenty seedlings were given out at the Chamber Spring Fair in War Memorial Park on in mid-April, and 60 of the small trees were distributed to third graders on Arbor Day, April 24.

The Ada grade schoolers always get a kick out of the "elephant snot" reference when tree commissioners talk about trees. Commission members describe the value of trees in our lives and how to take care of trees.

Pictured working with the goop are commissioners Beth Fenton, Dick Lawrence, and Mike Hubbell.
(Monty Siekerman)