Portola 7th Graders Put Down Roots (and Trees) in Park

A seventh-grade life sciences class from Portola Middle School teamed up with City City Arborist Stephen Prée, the El Cerrito Garden Club and the city's Tree Committee to plant oak trees in Cerrito Vista Park Tuesday afternoon.

Under the guidance of Pree, their teacher Michael Kunz, and other adult volunteers, the 29 students took to their task with evident enthusiasm. The trees were being planted on the hillside section on the east side of the park.

Kunz said the students were planting 12 coast live oaks. He said the project started a few weeks ago when he was contacted by Pree.

A city news release said the trees were being planted "in celebration of Arbor Day 2013." It noted that the El Cerrito Garden Club has sponsored Arbor Day tree plantings in El Cerrito yearly since the 1970s and donated funds for the trees planted Tuesday.

"Each year California celebrates California Arbor Week  from March 7-14," the city notice said. "Arbor Week is an opportunity for cities, businesses, individuals and others to educate Californians on the value of trees to building successful, healthy cities and neighborhoods.

"Healthy trees create a more desirable place to live, work and play. The right trees in the right places can provide shade for walking, sitting and recreating; boost business and tourism in commercial areas; and increase residential property values. Trees are a vital a part of a healthy watershed, intercepting runoff, reducing erosion and filtering pollution. Trees also reduces noise, sequesters carbon dioxide, and provides habitat for birds and other wildlife."

Those with questions about trees or Arbor Day can contact Prée at spree@ci.el-cerrito.ca.us or the Public Works Department at 510-215-4369, the city said.

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