Tim McDonnell quizzed fifth-graders at Jefferson Elementary School about the many uses of a tree Tuesday afternoon.
The outdoor exercise was part of a ceremony to recognize Jake Damron’s poster as tops for Iola fifth-graders as well as that of the Southeast Kansas District. Runners-up were classmates Kaitlyn Smutz and Grace Garner.
A Garden City student was the state winner from six districts.
McDonnell is a forester with the Kansas Forest Department, which sponsors the poster contest each year along with Iola’s Tree Board.
The kids had what McDonnell enthusiastically said were “very good answers” for uses that can be made of trees — from bearers of fruit and nuts to firewood to habitat for wildlife. He also gave the students a short tutorial on how to plant a tree.
An autumn splendor sugar maple, about seven feet tall, was placed on the west side of Jefferson Elementary.
He began the process by taking quick hacks with a shovel at balled roots when the tree was freed from a large pot. That, he said, was to keep the root system from spiraling. With roots spreading out the tree will have a better foundation to hold it tall and erect and also better absorb moisture and nutrients from the ground.
On hand were Tree Board members Roberta Shirley and Kristy Sutherland, also Iola Rec Commission administrative assistant.
Sutherland said 104 entries were received from fifth-graders at Jefferson and Lincoln schools.
Each student was awarded small redbud trees for them to plant at home.
Damron also received a book and art supplies. His poster was professionally famed courtesy of the Tree Board. And the state forestry department gave him a backpack full of books and goodies.
