ATHOL – For the third consecutive year, students from Athol Community Elementary School joined Town Manager Shaun Suhoski, Public Works Superintendent Dick Kilhart, Assistant Superintendent Paul Raskevitz, and workers from the DPW to plant a tree on a patch of green in the school’s parking lot.

The ceremony was held to celebrate Arbor Day, which was observed on Friday, April 18. This occurred as students were preparing for the spring vacation, and so the event was instead held on Wednesday, April 30.

While the last three tree plantings have taken place at ACES, Raskevitz said next year’s will be done at a different location.

“We finally finished the plantings on that island at ACES,” he said.

“We put the tree in the hole, then the kids get to shovel a shovelful of dirt into it and help water it,” Raskevitz continued. “We talk about trees and their importance; talk about the basic anatomy of a tree and what the roots do, what the leaves do.”

As with the first two planting as ACES, the tree placed this year was an October Glory red maple. The fourth graders who attended the event named it “Sappy.”

Raskevitz said the tree planting was in keeping with Athol’s designation as a Tree City USA. Other requirements include establishment of a tree board or department, enactment of a tree bylaw, and adoption of a forestry program, which is overseen by the DPW.

“We also have to hold hearings for the removal of trees,” he added.

Raskevitz explained that membership in the Tree City USA program must be renewed on an annual basis. The application is first reviewed by the state Department of Conservation and Recreation, and then forwarded to the Arbor Day Foundation.

Membership in the program has benefits beyond the protection and promotion of trees and forested areas, Raskevitz explained.

“The nice thing about being a Tree City USA, is that we also have to have a tree bylaw – I think it was four years ago it was approved at Town Meeting,” he said. “That was the first step we took here in Athol. But that also assists our town planner, Eric Smith. When he applies for grants there are different tiers. Being a Green Community and a Tree City USA, it bumps us to a higher tier when the grants are being considered. It not only increases our chances of being eligible but also the amount that we may get.”

At each annual tree planting, Suhoski reads a proclamation which, this year, declared April 30 as Arbor Day in the Town of Athol.

“I urge all citizens – and students – to celebrate Arbor Day, to support the efforts to protect our trees; and I further urge all our citizens to plant trees to gladden the hearts and promote the well-being of this and future generations,” he said.

Greg Vine can be reached at gvineadn@gmail.com.