IOWA LAKES COMMUNITY COLLEGE CELEBRATES ARBOR DAY ALONG WITH AREA HIGH SCHOOLS

Area high school chapters joined with the Landscape & Turfgrass Technician program at Iowa Lakes this week to make the world a little greener.

Kevin Fehr, the instructor of the Landscape &Turfgrass Technician program, delivered trees to local area high schools to help celebrate the 135th annual Arbor Day, Thursday, April 26.

Arbor Day was established by President Theodore Roosevelt to celebrate the importance of trees to our nation. The President was even quoted saying, "to exist as a nation, to prosper as a state, and to live as people, we must have trees."

The trees Fehr delivered were 6 feet 6 inches tall Shingle Oaks, which will grow to about 50 feet in height and have about a 40 foot spread. The trees will have broad, green leaves in the summer months which will turn to reddish-yellow during fall.

Fehr feels that taking part in Arbor Day is crucial for many reasons.

"Arbor Day is an excellent opportunity to take stock of the trees on your property and plan for the future by planting a tree or two," said Fehr.  "We need to stop and think about all the benefits we receive from trees: shade, saving on energy costs, food and homes for wildlife. They give off oxygen and help clean our air. Trees are made into paper and other products and they have an impact on general aesthetics. The list goes on an on," he said.

The first delivery was to Spencer High School, where he talked to FFA Advisor Justin Spieker’s class about the importance of trees. Other topics of class discussion were the destruction of Ash Trees by a foreign insect from China, and the damage ‘root bounding’ can cause to potted trees.

The next stop was Okoboji High School and then on to Estherville. Plans to deliver trees to Emmetsburg and Algona high schools are to be carried out at later dates.