Millersburg first grade students get a hands-on lesson about importance of trees

Millersburg Elementary School first-graders were treated to an Arbor Day celebration that included a lesson about the importance of trees, as well as a sapling to take home and plant, and ice cream, thanks to the Millersburg Tree City USA Committee.

Arborist and Tree City Committee Secretary Brent Schrock and adviser Kim Kellogg talked with the students about why trees are important − they provide oxygen, food, shelter for animals and birds, they cool the atmosphere and reduce flooding.

Kellogg jokingly pointed out trees also are used to make paper, which leads to more homework for the students, which incurred a rousing boo from the children.

Students lend helping hand when planting time comes

Kellogg added that when the students grow up, they can bring their own children to see the grown trees along the hillside.

A foursome of students was recruited to help plant a red oak tree along the hillside north of Millersburg Elementary School.

The village Tree City Committee has planted more than 100 trees in town, including several on the schoolgrounds.

Schrock said the trees the children were given should be planted away from their house and away from overhead lines, as the trees will grow up to 80 feet high.

"The roots will spread as wide as the tree is tall," Schrock said. "It's always good to plant the right specie in the right place."

After the red oak tree was planted and the students received their sapling, they retreated into the school for an ice cream treat provided by Arlie Rodhe , the man who helped organize the Millersburg Tree City Committee.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Millersburg first grade students get a hands-on lesson about importance of trees