Ritzville fifth grade students celebrate Arbor Day

Fifth grade students from the Ritzville Grade School participated in multiple outdoor activities at the Ritzville City Park on Wednesday, April 12, in celebration of Arbor Day.

The day began with a presentation of the colors by the Boy Scouts Troop 888 and the proclamation of Arbor Day by Mayor Gary Cook.

Washington State Conversation District representative Garth David then presented Ritzville with the Tree City USA plaque. Cook expressed his gratitude for the hard work of the Tree Board, as this is the city’s seventh consecutive year of receiving the achievement.

Prior to the event, the students were asked to write an essay about their favorite tree to be judged by the Tree Board. After the presentation, the top three essay winners were announced and their essays were read to the group.

Assisted by the Ritzville Public Works employees, the students then assisted in planting two trees at the park and two at the Zip’s plaza.

After lunch, members of the Ritzville Public Library instructed the students in a decorative bark rubbing exercise as part of the “Learning Garden Program”, sponsored by the WSU Extension Office.

The Douglas Fir Tree: For Melvin Lytle, By Dawson Teal

First place essay

The Douglas fir tree is the most common tree all up and down the Cascades. It has really long branches and it grows sharp needles with pinecones. They are always green and tall.

The Douglas fir is my favorite because I have a lot of memories with it from every time we went down to my great grandpa and grandma’s house. I would go to their porch and my grandpa would be sitting there and we would talk and watch the squirrels play in the tree. They would grab some type of nut and eat it.

The Douglas fir trees were the tallest trees in that entire four blocks! They were the only things we could see.

Grandpa Mel planted both of the Douglas firs in his yard. He called them the TWO TIMBERS!

According to the National Arbor Day Foundation, the Douglas fir is described as one of the noblest forest trees, which will always remind me of my great grandpa who was a truly noble person. RIP Melvin Lytle.

Willow Tree, By Jasmine Huitron

Second place essay

The Willow tree is one of the most common trees in the northern United States. It has branches that looked like vines! These trees can grow very fast, and enormous, though they are very chunky and can be very tall. They even help us make amazing equipment for sports, houses and even medicine.

I’ve had a lot of good memories with these trees. Some were mostly in Ritzville but the most important ones with that tree were right in my front yard.

There in my front is a healthy and old willow tree. It looks the prettiest in spring, but that’s my opinion. Sometimes people have to cut some of its branches for people to walk through it and so people can drive through it.

Some willows even give a lot of shade which is the best for summer or hot days. People have even seen the trees grow faces on the trunk itself!

According to http://www.gardenlovetoknow.com, the willow tree can help us with many things. These trees can e used to make things that need strong wood, like cricket bats. Other trees help us make paper and tiny delicate decorations, but this tree makes way more than paper and decorations. They are even used to make furniture, like dressers.

In conclusion, willow trees are my favorite trees for many reasons. Not only do they look amazing, but they are useful, too.

Angel Oak, By Megan Melcher

Third place essay

When I was asked to describe my favorite tree it was hard for me because I don’t have any trees in my yard. So I Googled beautiful trees and the Angel Oak caught my eye. It looks more like an wild sea creature than a tree.

One very unique thing about the Angel Oak is that there is only one of them in the United states and it is located in Charleston, South Carolina. According to http://www.angeloak.com is that it is estimated to be 1,500 years old. Its height is 66.5 feet tall and it’s width is 28 feet. It provides shade that covers over 17,200 square feet.

The Angel Oak is a “must see” for anyone visiting Charleston, South Carolina. It is usually on everyone’s top ten list for things to do in Charleston. I know it has now made it into my bucket list!