Students learn about trees on 'Arbor Day'

In celebration of Arbor Day, Wasilla Water and Soil Conservation Service organized a tree planting ceremony at Midnight Sun Charter School in Meadow Lakes Monday morning.

Director Chuck Kaucic said the annual event is an opportunity to share information with students about the importance of trees that they might not learn some other way.

To that end, Matanuska Electric Association sent arborist Bill Jardel and clearing foreman Joel Stefanski to teach students the fine points of successful tree planting and brush clearing.

"The wrong tree in the wrong place can cause a conflict," Stefanski said before showing students an example of a charred tree that had fallen into a power line and burned from the inside out.

Jardel was Alaska's first arborist when he earned the certification in 1984. Since then, he said he's helped educate hundreds more tree keepers.

Mat-Su Borough Mayor Larry DeVilbiss also read an Arbor Day proclamation at the event, declaring May 19 as Arbor Day in the Mat-Su Borough.

Students also were treated to surprise visit from Smokey who helped the Principal dedicate the new tree.