Fruit Trees
Fruit trees were added to the school landscape through several Fruit Tree grant opportunities. Students were integral to the planting process and each year they continue to be involved by taking care of the trees. In the Fall, our apple and pear trees are harvested by students. In 2017 we had our first substantial harvest. Pears were offered as whole fruit and apples were cooked and milled for applesauce.
Fruit trees not only produce delicious fruit, but are source of food for pollinating insects in the area.
Fruit trees not only produce delicious fruit, but are source of food for pollinating insects in the area.
Students planted apple and pear trees in 2013 and 2015
We first planted six apple and two pear trees with seventh and eighth graders in 2013. In 2015 fourth-sixth graders added a half dozen apple trees in nearby locations. Students and staff decided not to plant nut trees to avoid nut-allergy issues.
Orchard planting videos from 2013
Students do the yearly orchard maintenance
Each year the area below the trees is weeded and a fresh layer of wood chips is added to the base of the trees. We have had to educate members of our maintenance crew about the need to mow carefully around the trees.
Fruit harvest (2017)
Five years after the first trees were planted we started getting an abundance of apples and pears.
Note from the orchard in the summer of 2019: Two of the apple trees have died. One has shoots growing from the root stock. The other tree will need replacing. Fourteen trees remain - two of which are pear trees. The remaining trees are doing just fine.
Arbor Day Apple Tree Planting
On Tuesday, April 27th, 2021, a number of Team USA 7th and 8th grade students removed a dead apple tree and dug the hole needed to accommodate a new apple tree.
Mr. Southwick told a story about how, as a 5th grader over 50 years ago, he helped plant trees on Arbor day with his father. He still feels pride in that work. In his current position, as a tree custodian for the City, he oversees the care of over 1700 trees with more trees planned for planting. He noted that all the students who took part in the orchard plantings at City School over the years can feel a sense of ownership and pride in their work. Thanks to their digging and planting contributions, generations of future St. Albans City School students will be enjoying apples and pears grown right here on the property.
|
On Friday, April 30th, 2021, St. Albans City Mayor Tim Smith and City Tree Warden, David Southwick, joined St. Albans City School 8th grade students and teachers, Jeff Rouleau and Rusty Branon to plant a Sweet Sixteen apple tree. This new tree was paid for with an Arbor Day grant that Mr. Southwick applied for on behalf of the City and School. Students learned the history of Arbor Day from Mr. Southwick, Mayor Smith, and Mr. Rouleau. They also learned how to prepare the site for the tree with a Vermont Organics soil amendment and how to care for the tree over time.
|