Arbor Day 2005 in Okeechobee

The Okeechobee County Extension Service helped kindergarten and Second grade students of North Elementary School celebrate National Arbor Day on April 29th, 2005 by planting five trees. Two Magnolia trees and one Winged Elm Tree were provided by Carol Word at Roadside Nursery. Mulch was provided by Dee's Garden Center.

Students were invited to write a story about "My Tree Friend". Selected stories will be posted on this webpage and added to the school's Neighborhood Tree Book, which is kept in the school's library.

Mrs. Mays talked to students about Arbor Day and got them excited to help plant trees on their campus. Then students sang songs and read several poems about Arbor Day. Finally, students learned how to plant a tree from the County Horticulture Agent, Dan Culbert.

Photos courtesy of Debbie Clements, Okeechobee County 4-H Agent

This year our office received 80 more stories for the NES Neighborhood Tree Book. They each received a "Tree-Mendous Tiger" award. Students were asked to pick a tree that was special to them, and tell us why. Below are some of the Tree Stories created by the students: [Some spelling and grammar have been edited for clarity, and links to UF/IFAS fact sheets on these trees have been added.]

Abigail: "I like the Cypress Tree. It has a leaf that is shaped as a feather even when its not a feather. I like to climb in the cypress tree. It has black racers in it. It also [has] vines on it. It has a lot of thick branches on it. If I climb high enough I can see over the dike. I don't know if it [has] an Eagle's nest. Then, when I want to get down, I just climb down."

Terrance: "I like [the Green Buttonwood Tree] because one time I climbed up in the tree and I saw a nest. It had a baby blue jay in it. Its mother was gone. So I got out of the tree and went to find its mother. I walked and walked and finally I found its mother trying to get a worm. So I walked inside to get some worms. And that's why that tree is my favorite."

Courtney: "This tree called the Geiger Tree is special. It is very pretty. It has flowers on it. I picked some flowers off it cause at my old house I used to have one and I always watered it when I got home. It was a home to a bird that I saw. It was yellow, but the flowers are orange but I liked the tree. I planted little orange flowers but they weren't the same right up under it. It has very pretty green leaves on it. It gives shade to me when summer came. I grew big and when you look up when you are under the tree you couldn't see nothing but leaves and flowers it was so thick. So it gave a lot of shade. When I'm under it I would smell the flowers and the sweet smell. It gave off oxygen. That's why it's my favorite tree."

Jordan: " Do you want to know what a special thing [ my red maple] is? Well let me tell you what it is. It's in my back yard and is tall and beautiful. It is special to me because my dog had puppies under the tree. I also enjoy having picnics under the tree in summer. It is very beautiful and radiant. That is why this tree is special to me."

Perla: "My tree is special to me because I can get oranges from it. It makes my yard look pretty and it blooms white flowers. My tree is also a home to many sorts of animals such as caterpillars, birds and ants. Another thing it it's one of my sources of oxygen. I think that's pretty cool and that's why my tree is special to me."

Cassidy: "My family calls this [sycamore] tree Tyler's tree. It was planted in the early spring of 1991. This sapling was planted in the yard to celebrate the birth of my big brother Tyler. This sycamore tree has grown a lot over the years just like my brother."

Samantha: " My brother and I live with my grandpa. When I was only a few days old, my Grandpa planted a [Magnolia] tree out by our gate. Grandpa said it will grow with us and it has. The tree is now taller than we are. Grandpa took very good care of our tree. We have many trees in our yard but this one is special to me because Grandpa planted it when he got us. When hurricane Frances and Jeanne came they didn't hurt our tree. I like our tree because it gives off oxygen and shade for us. We will never let anyone cut down our tree because I want to keep it growing bigger. If the principal would let me, I would bring a tree to plant at school. We have some baby palm trees that would be perfect to plant at school. The tree that Grandpa planted will always be special to me. that's why I like our tree."

Trade names, where used, are given for the purpose of providing specific information. They do not constitute an endorsement or guarantee of products named, nor does it imply criticism of products not named. The Florida Cooperative Extension Service - Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer authorized to provide research, educational information, and other services to individuals and institutions that function without regard to race, color, sex, age, handicap, or national origin. Florida Cooperative Extension Service / IFAS /University of Florida. Larry A.Arrington, Dean.Last update: 05/27/2005.