Mother Nature smiled on Lebanon’s Arbor Day celebration today, providing a break in the rain at precisely the right time. Masked 4th grade students from Mount Lebanon School joined the ceremony with their teachers and Principal, at the new Smith Field Playground on Maple Street in West Lebanon. Three trees had been planted: two Autumn Maples and a Shade Locust . Paul Coats, Lebanon’s Recreation, Arts, and Parks Director presided; he read a tree poem, and then asked the students why we would want to plant trees. “For Beauty!” “I like to play on them and climb them.” “A place for bees and butterflies to be.” “I like to draw them, because they turn pretty colors in the Fall and they look good in photo shoots.” And a budding scientist replied, “Because the trees convert CO2 into Oxygen for us to breathe.” Lots of good reasons to plant trees! And these particular trees were chosen to provide shade to the new playground. Mayor TIm McNamara read an Arbor Day Proclamation and students sprinkled ceremonial mulch. As the ceremony ended, it began to sprinkle – much-needed rain for these newly planted trees.

The two trees with protective blue “noodles” are Autumn Blaze Maple, The Shade Locust is in back with lime green” noodles”.

Look at those beautiful buds!

New Smith Field Playground, Maple Street, West Lebanon

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