"Trees last a long time, but they don't last forever."
Arborist Hal Falk made the comment to students who packed the gym at St. Theresa elementary school in Callander for Arbour Day celebrations.
"It's important to instill in them the fact that trees have a finite life span and people have to help them along because too many trees get damaged from storms, they get cut for building, for parking lots, for roads. It happens all the time. So if we don't support the planting effort, we're not going to have any trees. They are the lungs of our eco-system," said Falk.
The children then filed out to the playground where Falk explained the planting process. Some of the children helped plant the silver maple tree, chosen because of the speed in which is grows, and the amount of shade it provides.
In November the school lost a number of trees due to stormy weather. Falk expects more trees will eventually be planted to replace those that were damaged.
"I feel like it's really important to bring new life to the earth, especially because there are a lot of trees that have fallen down due to storms. It's important to have new trees to replace the old ones," said student Ella Oschefski.
As she grows, so will the tree.
"I thought it was really cool planting the tree because I am in grade six and I only have two more years at the school, and it will be cool to see it grow. When we come back after summer break it should be full of leaves. It will shade us and be something to read under."
Kathleen Palmieri is graduating this year. She will leave with fond memories of this contribution to the environment.
"Planting trees is pretty important for the earth If I ever come back to the school I will see all the changes in the tree and the different stages it went through and how big it is. Hopefully it's going to get pretty big. I think planting trees is a good way to bring the school together so everyone can celebrate planting a new tree and we can all see the growth of the trees."
The school prides itself in being proactive when it comes to finding eco-friendly projects.
"The school's Go Green team thinks of initiatives, we find initiatives in the community, and we participate in them to show students that we need to keep the planet safe and healthy not just for now, but for their future," said teacher Elizabeth Belfitt.
"We actually did an Arbour Day of our own last year, and we planted a tree for Canada 150 in front of the school. And then the community reached out to us about this Arbour Day tree and we went with it. "
School principal Micheline Lamarche says it is a good opportunity to lead by example.
"One of the things we're hoping for is that the students take pride in the environment, and they become volunteers and community helpers later on in their lifetime."