Young and old gather to plant and sow

Doug Tabbert

Students joined community leaders last week to plant saplings in Lake

Park in honor of Arbor Day, initiated in 1872 by newspaperman and

nature lover J. Sterling Morton.

The City Council approved the planting of the Forest Pansy Redbud

tree. The young tree was set in the ground amid a landscape dominated

by palms, its leaves blushed violet and crimson in the late morning

sun.

“Arbor Day has kind of slipped through the cracks, we just try to

keep the holiday going and the whole idea of planting trees,” said

Carole Ann Wall, president of Huntington Beach Chamber of Commerce

Women of Action, one of several group’s present at he ceremony last

week.

The Huntington Beach Tree Society, Miss Huntington Beach, Heather

Hibben, a class from Smith Elementary School and a handful of

residents also joined the festivities.

Wall’s grip was strong, as she and several other women of action

tossed the ceremonial first shovels of dirt into the plot.

Elaine Craft, of the Tree Society, was master of ceremonies, and

recited a poem she wrote about the unique tree. But craft was not the

lone poet, as students in the fifth-grade class also wrote and

performed poetry, as well as songs and dance routines in appreciation

of trees.

“This is the most participation we have ever had,” said Craft, who

was elated about the turnout.

The impetus behind students performances was a get-out-of-one-

homework-assignment-free pass. Bribery worked and the student’s

really got excited about their projects.

“The forest is a wonder, the beautiful creeks, ancient trees ... I

walked farther in the cozy woods and two ancient trees loomed ahead,”

recited Jacob Evan, 11. Jacob’s poetic narrative was a journey

through nature and related emotions.

“The tree is just a peaceful soul swaying in the breeze,” recited

John Bowles, 11, into the portable microphone.

After the performances students finished the chore, by filling in

and watering the redbud’s new home.

“It was pretty cool to be close to Miss Huntington Beach and other

important people, and its fun to get dirty,” Bowles said.