AREA – Arbor Day 2024 was celebrated in Garwood by planting Eastern Redbud trees at Lincoln School on April 26, Arbor Day, and at Washington Schools on May 16.

Led by Shade Tree Officer Bill Nierstedt and Garwood Mayor Jennifer Blumenstock, the Lincoln School planting was completed with the assistance of the fourth-grade classes who earlier in the year had learned about trees through a class Bill taught courtesy of the Union County Master Tree Steward program.

Before planting the tree, the class reviewed the importance of trees from the production of oxygen to simply providing shade in the summer. Words like habitat and ecosystem, tree life cycles, arboreal habitats, climate change and tree benefits regarding society at large were discussed in addition to the tree planting.

Westfield Area YMCA preschoolers participated in an indoor discussion about trees and their benefits – oxygen, flowers, fruit, shade, and beauty – to humans and animals alike.

Students viewed pictures of the oldest living trees (Bristlecone Pines), the tallest trees (Coast Redwood), and the largest trees (Giant Sequoias), and the widest Live Oak, as well as learning about local trees, and the need to plant more native trees.

The students then walked outside where a new tree had been planted by the maintenance team at the corner of East Street and Locust Avenue. Students were shown the proper way to plant trees, and were asked to tell ask their caregivers to plant trees at home in celebration of Arbor Day.

All the trees were obtained through the Union County ‘Free Trees for Schools’ Program in which Garwood has been lucky enough to participate for several years, so much so that Lincoln School may be running out of tree planting locations soon.

With climate change upon us, and tree planting being an easy way to regain our planet’s health, the Shade Tree Board, Union County, and Garwood students will continue to work together to plant more trees and encourage others to do so too.