The Jefferson tree committee planted trees in Jefferson last week with Greene County Schools students assisting. This nearly annual spring event is always popular with both students and tree committee members.
On Wednesday 28 trees were planted at the future Rotary Centennial Dog Park adjacent to the new Greene County Animal Shelter at 1700 Doreen Wilber Drive.
Environmental studies students under Greene County HS ag teacher Raelynn Harris helped plant, along with a representative of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Volunteers with PAWS and members of Jefferson’s city government and the animal shelter board were also invited to attend.
This dog park planting has been funded by a grant from the DNR’s Community Forestry Fund, and trees have been ordered from Iowa Native Trees and Shrubs near Woodward. Species include swamp white oak, bur oak, white oak, river birch, American sycamore, quaking aspen, bald cypress, and tulip trees.
Greene County eighth graders and science teacher Conner Mueller planted 40 trees in Jefferson city parks on Friday. Planting started at Russell Park with 30-35 trees, and then moved to Head Park, where the remaining trees were planted.
Trees for this park planting are funded by a grant from Alliant Energy and its Branching Out program. Species include swamp white oak, chinquapin oak, American sycamore, tulip tree, big tooth aspen, and cucumber tree magnolia.
Brad Riphagen of Trees Forever instructed the students on the correct way to plant a tree and then turned them lose to practice what they learned.
The trees replace ash trees and other trees removed due to disease and/or wind damage.
