South Dakota State University held its annual Arbor Day event Friday morning. Eighteen bare-root trees were planted on the west side of Bailey Rotunda Hall.
Tanner Aiken, horticulturist and project manager with SDSU Facilities and Services, and John Ball, professor, SDSU Extension forestry specialist and South Dakota Department of Agriculture forest health specialist, led the planting of the 18 bare-root trees, which are to help replace canopy lost from building projects and disease.
By planting multiple species, the goal is to help boost the university’s diversity of species. Overall, the university is planning to plant 250 trees this year.
The initial planting providing proper planting techniques and information and the nearly 30 attendees were able to break into groups and plant a bare root tree on site. Honeylocust and ironwood were the species planted Friday.
In addition, SDSU was recognized for being a Tree Campus USA Higher Education institution. The program has recognized South Dakota State annually since 2009.