Science class receives grant, plants trees
May 2011--DCS High School Teacher Marcy McKinley's UHS Environmental Science class recently planted trees by the upper soccer field on the MS/HS campus. They received the trees through an Arbor Day Foundation grant. The class used the grant research as part of a lesson where they evaluated the best trees to plant--they chose Scotch Pines because they grow fast. The class opted not to plant deciduous trees so that leaves would not blow onto the soccer fields. The class also studied correct planting procedures. They dug the soil holes, added top soil, got the roots wet for good contact and compacted the soil around the roots to avoid air pockets which would dry out the roots. They also added soil to the root collar (where the roots meet the stem) and placed plastic rings around the trees to allow for easy maintenance.
