MSU speaks for the trees this Arbor Day

The Canadian rock band, Rush, said it best when they sang, “there is unrest in the forest. There is trouble with the trees for the maples want more sunlight and the oaks ignore their pleas.” In their song “The Trees,” they give human qualities to oak and maple trees to depict the interactions between the two species within nature. The song shows the maple trees fighting against the oak trees for a little more sunlight, unwilling to settle for less than what they want.

If trees have this much love for themselves, then we should at least have half as much respect, given how much they do for us. As Arbor Day approaches on April 27, it is the perfect time to give some love back to nature.

In recognition of the day to celebrate nature’s living giants, MSU will plant 10 linden trees near Yellowstone Hall and McCall Hall to bring a little more fresh air to campus. Found mostly in Asia, Europe and North America, linden trees come from the tree genus Tilia. They are commonly called lime bushes and basswood, and can grow up to 80-feet tall when full-size.

Trees are essential to life, from providing oxygen to shade to a place to string up your hammock. As such, MSU has taken great measures to ensure campus forest management and maintain a tree-care plan, which has led to MSU being recognized as a Tree Campus USA school for the sixth consecutive year. The Arbor Day Foundation recognizes schools that have an educational mission as well as a conservational mission for its students and trees alike.

If you’re interested in donating and planting a tree with a group of friends or fellow tree-loving students, trees are available through the city of Bozeman’s Tree Donation Program via the Forestry Division. The total cost of donating the tree is $500, which includes the cost of the tree, pick-up, delivery and installation. According to their website, “there are places in Bozeman parks and Sunset Hills Cemetery in need of trees. We will work with you to determine an appropriate planting site and tree species that will be suitable for the specified site and your preferences.”  For more information, please visit bozeman.net/government/forestry/, and contact them before the end of May to plant a tree this year.

Student-led club Circle K, a community service organization on campus and in Bozeman, are helping to make trees a bigger occurence on campus. They are accepting donations throughout April, which just so nicely happens to be Earth Month, to fund the tree planning event on April 27. To help or get involved with the project, contact msucirclek@gmail.com.