Students at George Washington Elementary School plant a tree for Arbor Day

    In celebration of Arbor Day, students in West Hempstead planted a new tree in their community.
    On April 29, a Zelkova shade tree was donated to the George Washington Elementary School in West Hempstead by the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Nassau County as part of its “Greening of Nassau II” inititative.
    West Hempstead was one of a number of school districts that received an 8-foot Zelkova tree, along with various instructional materials intended to assist districts in developing students’ understand of the importance of trees in reducing air pollution, protecting soil, providing shelter for animals and beautifying the environment.
    George Washington school Principal Theresa Ganley said her students were grateful for the donation. “Figuratively and literally we love trees here at G.W.,” Ganley said.
    Since the tree arrived for planting on the principal’s birthday, her students are calling it the Birthday Tree.
    “Greening of Nassau II”    was spearheaded by CCE in collaboration with Nassau Boces, Plant Health Care and others.