Gerry Stein’s eighth grade science classes got their hands dirty last Tuesday, May 6, helping the Jefferson tree committee plant trees.
This is the 10th year Stein has called on the expertise of Trees Forever field coordinator Brad Riphagen to teach students the correct way to plant trees. The students, “practicing,” have planted hundreds of trees over the years at locations including both cemeteries, Daubendiek Park, the county fairgrounds, along the Raccoon River Valley Trail, along Doreen Wilber Drive near Highway 30, at Paul Nally Park on N. Olive St, and this year, on N. Maple St.
Brian Menz, brother of tree committee chairperson Lynn Menz, said he’s been there for every student tree-planting event, too. “It’s so much fun. I just have to do it,” he said. He’s pictured coaching students as they plant a linden tree.
The students planted 32 red oak, sycamore, linden and swamp oak trees on N. Maple and replaced four or five trees that had been planted on N. Wilson as part of the overpass project.
Tree committee volunteers working with the students in addition to Brian and Lynn Menz were Cassie Dozier, Joann Conroy, Esther Kirby and Carole Fisher. “The tree committee very much appreciates the students’ help,” Conroy said.
