Tree plantings

Plant trees. They give us two of the most crucial elements for our survival: oxygen and books.   - A. Whitney Brown

OvERVIEW

Planting trees is an easy and effective way to improve the environment and our quality of life. Trees beautify our surroundings, filter harmful air pollutants, absorb storm water runoff, act as sound barriers, and help us save energy by providing shade in summer and reducing wind in winter. Trees are major capital assets in America's cities and towns and are part of a community’s infrastructure, just like our streets, sidewalks, sewers and public building. Research has linked tree-lined neighborhoods to lower crime rates and stronger communities. Trees are particularly important in urban areas, where the problems they alleviate are most pronounced.

Planting trees in your schoolyard can make the space a better recreational and educational resource. It is also a relatively easy project to involve students in, taking advantage of the help and resources of many local organizations.

Time

A team of three or four people can typically plant a tree in a few hours. Before planting, you and your class should spent a good amount of time determining what type(s) of trees to plant and where they should be located on your site.

land use

Although you do not need a exceptionally large open space to plant a tree, you do need a space that'll be appropriate for the tree at maturity. Before planting, make sure you know the size of the tree at maturity and keep this in mind in designing a planting plan for you site.

Materials

For a typical tree planting you will need shovels, pick axes, gloves, water, mulch, stakes, stake drivers, hand pruners... and of course, the trees you choose to plant!

EDUCATIONAL THEMES

Tree identification, planting, and maintenance, stormwater runoff and air pollution reduction

Additional resources

Casey Trees Endowment Fund’s GreenTech Education Program
Partnering with DCPS and American Forests, Casey trees has established GreenTech, an education program which promotes greening schoolyards while teaching GIS mapping and analysis.

Casey Trees Endowment Fund: Community Tree Planting Program