The Village of Bluffton tree commission celebrated Arbor Day (April 29) by planting a magnolia at the Village Arboreum on Saturday, April 30. The process became a lesson in tree planting for an enthusiastic young participant, Sam Stahl.

Tree commissioners Jon Sommers and Rahda Tague prepared the hole, carefully separating the layer of soil that still shows the clinkers of a railroad bed. Joined by commissioners Becky Ramey and Jonathan Andreas, the hole depth was adjusted, the tree placed, and the hole carefully filled and watered, and mulched.

The tree joins almost 50 others (see attached map) in the arboretum at Lake St and County Line Rod, bordering Cob Lake. However, some five trees near County Line Rd. will be cut down to clear the way for work by AEP in coming weeks.

A visit this week shows trees in a variety of spring growth, with many budding and flowering. The trees are labeled thanks to a 2018 project by Bluffton Girl Scout Troop 20007.