By Paula Pyzik Scott

On April 25 the Village of Ada demonstrated how to plant a tree and how to grow a community that is knowledgeable about and devoted to urban forestry: start with the third graders. Representatives from the Village Tree Commission met with third grade classes at Ada Exempted Village Schools to discuss and celebrate their love of trees.

The commission awarded prizes to three students for their drawings of their favorite trees. Each received a book that will help them learn more about trees.

1st place: Lydia Messner
Prize: National Geographic Pocket Guide to Trees & Shrubs of North America

2nd place: Chandler Salyer
Prize: Identifying Trees of the East

3rd place Mackenna Szippl
Prize: The Tree Book, for Kids and their Grownups

The students shared their interest in trees and their knowledge of how trees benefit people, animals and the environment, in an extensive Q&A session. Commissioner Jenny Donley led the program with the assistance of Village Administrator Jamie Hall who demonstrated the importance of planting trees where there is enough room. He also taught the four Ps of planting trees: Plan, prepare, plant— and pray.

Village forester Terry Kaiser provided information on the tree the students would be taking home with them at the end of the day. The third graders received slender, bare root dawn redwood seedlings to plant at home or where a family member or friend has room for the tree. 

The dawn redwood is a fast growing, deciduous tree. It resembles evergreens but actually loses its small leaves in winter. Commissioners noted that there is a good specimen of the dawn redwood growing in front of Ada Technologies Inc. at 805 W. North St. 

Commission members Joe Hefner, John Lomax, Jim Neiswander, Mike Steele also participated in the program. Neiswander read an Arbor Day proclamation on behalf of Mayor Dave Retterer.