Campbell Middle School students left their mark at John D. Morgan Park on Arbor Day.

Nearly 60 fifth-graders planted seven trees in the park, which doubles as part of their campus playground. The trees were planted near the school’s blacktop.

Mayor Liz Gibbons was on hand April 28 to witness the plantings and commemorate the Arbor Day festivities.

“It’s a tradition that is essential for what Campbell is all about,” she said. “We’re the Orchard City; we’re a tree city.”

Four pines and three Zelkova trees were planted with help from city staff and Our City Forest, a nonprofit organization devoted to educating communities about the importance of trees.

“I think it’s so awesome to see them excited about doing something to help restore the trees in the park,” said Shelly Rule, a teacher. “They’re excited because they’ll be able to come back when they have children and show their kids that (they) helped plant this tree.”

The city’s arborist Robert “Bob” Siudzinski said John D. Morgan Park was chosen for a specific reason; a few trees died during the drought the last few years.

“This was a first effort to do some reforestation,” Siudzinski said. “We’re definitely adding trees, but normally summer is not the best planting time. On occasion when a tree is of incredible importance, we will taken action and plant, whatever season it is.”

According to the nonprofit Arbor Day Foundation, the celebration was first established in Nebraska by J. Sterling Morton, a journalist and agriculture enthusiast. In the 1870s, states passed legislation recognizing Arbor Day. The day is typically celebrated on the last Friday of April.

In addition to celebrating Arbor Day, the city also celebrated its status as a “Tree City USA.” The designation is given to cities by the Arbor Day Foundation with cooperation from the US Forest Service and National Association of State Foresters.

Eligible cities must have a tree protection ordinance, a tree board/department and a community forestry program and observe Arbor Day.

West Valley Clean Water Program and PG&E representatives were among the groups in attendance sharing information with students about trees and the benefits of planting them.

“They learned if they need a street tree, they can go to Our City Forest,” Gibbons said. “It’s a wonderful all-around experience for the young ones.”