Sometimes the Plymouth Forestry Division plants more than trees. On May 27, as part of an Arbor Day celebration, the division’s staff brought 21 trees and 120 flowering plants to Zachary Lane Elementary School to plant the love of trees and a respect for nature in the school’s nearly 600 students.

Kindergarten students dug in the flowering plants for a butterfly garden. As they grow, the plants will provide habitat for butterflies and pollinating bees. They will also be part of an outdoor science classroom where students can learn about the world they live in.

One grade level at a time, the rest of the students dug, mulched, planted and watered the trees. As they worked, they learned the role trees play in creating habitat, protecting soil, making oxygen and providing shade.

Each classroom was able to adopt a tree. Then they gave them each a name, along with a layer of mulch and a drink of water.

The new trees will add diversity to the school’s landscape, according to Plymouth Forester Paul Buck. With the emerald ash borer threat, getting a variety of trees off to a good start is an important step for the urban forest.