Earth, forest celebrated at school

Photo by Karen Bartomioli

NORTH CANAAN — Nineteen years have passed, and that means 19 trees have been planted during the annual Earth Day/Arbor Day celebration at North Canaan Elementary School.

The April 24 festivities this year included a thank you to alumnus Tom Zetterstrom, who established the tradition. Under his guidance (and that of his organization, Elm Watch), a variety of trees have been planted around the school campus. Many were donated in someone’s honor or memory.

A black gum sapling, more commonly known as a tulip tree, was planted in front of the new parking lot across from the school’s main entrance. It was purchased with a grant from The Canaan Foundation and planted with the help of Toomey Tree Care and the town crew.

It is part of an arboretum Zetterstrom has been creating. All of the trees planted at the school were carefully selected for their compatibility with their specific sites; the way they will co-exist with other trees and their surroundings; and for the view they will offer.

Its Latin name is Nyssa sylvatica, he told students and staff who had assembled outside on a morning bathed in warm spring sunshine. A tiny nearby stream will provide the new tree with the moist soil it likes.

“Its name means water nymph, or water fairy, of the woods,� Zetterstrom said. “It will soon be covered with young leaves and flowers. Later those leaves will be a glossy, leathery green. In the fall, they will turn to yellow, then orange, then burgundy. It will be a beautiful tree to look at from the school.�

He noted that it will be a bit like the view President Barack Obama has from the White House, where the grounds include a black gum tree.

Zetterstrom has taught the students well over the years. While the students mulched and watered their new tree, one of them asked if it would grow up into nearby power lines.  Good question — because it is one of the first things Zetterstrom  takes into consideration when siting a new tree.

The first Earth Day was celebrated 39 years ago. Zetterstrom called it “a big step forward in consciousness.� He promised next year there will be big doings when NCES celebrates its 20th Arbor Day.

As always, the fifth grade hosted the event and offered poems and essays that tell of their respect for trees.

Inside the Tree

Inside the tree there is a bug.

Inside the tree there is a bird.

Inside the tree there is a squirrel.

Inside the tree there is a world.

         — Hannah McGuire

My Tree

Giant tree dancing in the wind,

Waving at me every day,

So gentle, but so fragile,

Thousands getting cut down every day,

This killing must end,

They are our friends,

So pitch in and plant a tree.

         — Max Vadakin

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