The Global Forest project at Harold Oliver Elementary School in East Portland has grown by three trees this year!

Jim Gersbach, project coordinator, and nine third grade students—along with Kate Farrington and Kris Day of Friends of Trees—planted a Japanese Umbrella Pine, a ‘Victoria’ Evergreen Magnolia, and a Swamp White Oak on the school grounds on Feb. 19.

This year’s additions complement over 30 other tree species from around the world, each with the potential to convey lessons not only about plants, but also about how people in other cultures use or relate to trees.

Gersbach’s vision is to help create a learning landscape that offers kids connections to their local environment, as well as offering living references to historical people and places.

While trees on school properties may seem obviously beneficial for a host of reasons, one of the biggest obstacles to their success is lack of watering during the summer months.

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