“PLANT THE TREE”: Winter Park Elementary digs new roots on Arbor Day

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The kids at Winter Park Elementary School kicked off the day with a very special arbor day celebration by welcoming a new tree into the school yard.

The Wilmington Tree Commission joined by Mayor Bill Saffo planted a large cathedral oak tree for the kids in the school.

Students and faculty were screaming “Plant the Tree” as the machine slowly planted the oak tree.

Winter Park Elementary students on Arbor Day (Photo: WWAY)

“I was very excited because it’s a huge honor to have so many people up here with this new tree and so many new things that you get to do,” 3rd grader Robert Jabaley said. “It’s not an everyday thing having a tree planted in your school.”

Last year, the city planted almost 200 trees in public areas.

Wilmington has received the Tree City USA growth award for the past 13 years.

The award recognizes environmental improvement.