Tony Campbell and his sixth grade science classes planted trees at Brownwood Intermediate School Friday.   It was a cold day but the kids enthusiastically dug holes and helped each other carefully plant the seedlings of Afghanistan Pines.  Each class on the “Dream Team” participated in planting these trees as a yearly tradition Mr. Campbell started back when the Intermediate School had just been built.  One of the trees first planted can be seen beside the walkway that leads from the Intermediate School to the Gym.

The type of tree was selected by Campbell because it is a hardy variety that needs no maintenance after the first 6 months of planting.  It also works well in a xeriscape type landscaping and most importantly, the Natural Resources Conservation (NRCS) sells the trees at its cost to groups like the school.

The lesson learned today by the kids is that planting trees is good for the environment because they “scrub the air” by removing pollutants, provide essential oxygen for us, provide a great windbreak once grown and also that it can be fun planting trees together.

Campbell started by talking to the class about how to plant the trees.  He took them outside to show them how a properly planted tree looks, and then they got started on their own group of trees to plant.  They used math to figure out where to place the trees, spacing them evenly along the front of the school near the marquee.  There were about 50 trees planted this year.  Hopefully these trees will mature and be a landscape they can be proud of years from now.

Mr. Campbell’s students put some muscle into their work

6th grade students measure the perfect spot

A job well done!

One of the trees planted several years ago during a previous planting day