Submitted photo Rugby fourth grade students celebrated Arbor Day last week in Ellery Park by learning about history of the day and different kinds of trees, and helped plant trees.

With spring finally here, the Rugby 4th graders participated in Arbor Day at Ellery Park last Thursday afternoon, May 18th. Joel Nichols, Community Forestry Specialist, from Bismarck led the festivities. Joel explained the history behind Arbor Day and the different types of trees and growing regions. He described different types of diseases that affect trees and how those progress and spread overtime. Students learned how to prepare a tree for planning. They participated in preparing the hole for the tree to be planted in, which included making sure the depth was correct. Students took turns filling dirt into the hole to plant the trees. When the trees were planted, Joel showed them how to water a newly planted tree.

The City of Rugby has held the designation as Tree City USA for 14 years now. To be designated as such, the community must meet four criteria that included having a Tree Board, a Tree Care Ordinance, A Community Forestry Program with an Annual Budget of at Least $2 Per Capita and an Arbor Day Observance and Proclamation.

-Jennifer Stewart, Rugby City Auditor