Tree Care on Arbor Day at School Farm

The HB Tree Society
hbtrees.org
(562) 760-0733

By Chris MacDonald

HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA —Arbor Day blossomed with smiles, rooster crows, and a curious giant tortoise, whose head came out its shell to see school kids fertilizing and watering eight recently-planted fruit trees at Golden View School in Huntington Beach.

A result of the HB Tree Society, Woman's Club of HB and more than 600 hours of volunteer work by high school students, the trees include avocado, orange, kumquat, apple, nectar and peach.

For months, old, dead trees were removed along the north edge of the school's farm; the ground was mulched; trees planted, fertilized, watered and chicken wire placed around their base to protect against rabbits gnawing away at their bark.

Shirley Knopf of the HB Tree Society, a volunteer non-profit that has beautified the city with more than 5,000 trees, showed the excited 3rd, 4th and 5th Graders from Susan Fox's class how to pour cups of natural worm castings at the base of the trees and water them.

The 2-acre farm, which dates from the school's opening in 1972, also has a vegetable garden, Red Barn, pig pen, clucking chickens, sheep, goats and other lively critters.

It's supervised by Farm Manager Dana Prante, who's assisted by volunteers like Nancy Courrielche, grandmother of a child at the school.

"Kids learn to care about trees, vegetables, animals and their environment—something which stays with them all their lives," Courrielche said. "They really take pride in their work and learn about the value of feeding, cleaning, watering and taking care of their special paradise. This farm is such a great escape from the hustle and bustle of urban life."

"We're working to improve curriculum for all grades to fully integrate this unique farm as a teaching school," said Dr. Carol Hansen, Superintendent of the Ocean View School District.
"We're so thankful for all the extra support of the HB Tree Society, Woman's Club, volunteers and the city."

"The city is lucky to have these organizations help educate everyone about the importance of trees," said Denny Bacon of HB Public Works. "It's so nice to see kids appreciate the value of trees and learn to care for them. They'll see the trees develop over time. What a perfect place for education!"

School students spoke in front of the gathering on the history of Arbor Day—how trees clean the air, provide energy and oxygen, beautify the area and help wildlife. The HB Tree Society's Annie Anderson read a poem about trees.

"We're thrilled with making a positive difference in the city we love," said Jean Nagy, President of the HB Tree Society. "We have several other projects around HB."

The school farm is at 17251 Golden View Lane. Groups can contact Farm Manager Dana Prante for tours. Call 714-847-2516 and ask to leave a voice mail message for Dana.

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