Students Plant 15 Trees Around Hillcrest High School

Despite the rainy and cold weather on October 2, Hillcrest High School students and ecology club members were outside eager and ready to work. Thanks to the Chicago Region Trees Initiative, part of the Morton Arboretum, students received 15 trees to plant around their school.

The students received the trees through a grant and met with Chicago Region Tree Initiative staff last spring. During this time, students talked about what types of trees they would like to see around their school, where they should plant the trees, and what characteristics made sense. For example, students decided they would like trees that would provide shade for their outdoor classroom area near the South end of the school. Students also wanted to plant trees around the backside of the school to help reduce flooding.

Thanks to the City of Country Club Hills, the school didn't even have to purchase mulch for the trees as that too was provided free of charge.

Throughout the day, students worked with Hillcrest maintenance staff, teacher and ecology club sponsor, Theresa Kelsey, and Chicago Region Tree Initiative staff as they learned how to properly plant the trees and take care of them. By the end of the day, all 15 trees were planted in the front, back, and even to the side of the school. As the students grow older and eventually leave Hillcrest, they will always be able to drive by the school and see the trees that they once planted as a student.