IOWA LAKES COMMUNITY COLLEGE DONATES TREES TO AREA HIGH
SCHOOLS
Emmetsburg High
School 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, which was officially held in late April.
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 tree Fehr
delivered to Emmetsburg High School was an Adams Crabapple,
which will grow to about 15-20 feet and have about a 20 foot
spread. Crabapple trees bloom pink in early spring and can do
well in many conditions. That is why some varieties of apple
trees can be found in all 50 states.
Fehr feels that
taking part in Arbor Day is crucial for many reasons.
"Arbor Day – and
springtime – 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.
Fehr delivered
Shingle Oak trees to Spencer, Okoboji, and Estherville high
schools last week. This week in Emmetsburg, he got to deliver
the tree to Ag Instructor Jerry Strand’s class and talk about
the proper way to plant a tree and the things to look for when
selecting plant material.
Although Arbor
Day has passed, Fehr still has one delivery to make. Later this
week he will be delivering a tree to Algona High School as well.
Emmetsburg Ag Instructor Jerry
Strand and two of his students plant an Adams Crabapple tree
donated by the Iowa Lakes Community College Landscape &
Turfgrass Technician program.
