A New Tree Grows in Alton

The Alton Central School (ACS) didn’t welcome a new student or teacher Friday
afternoon, but instead a donated maple tree. The young tree was planted behind the school
right next to where the students head out for recess. The Belknap Landscaping Company
provided the tree and their services at no charge to the school. They said it is part of their
ongoing effort to advocate agriculture awareness in local schools.
Belknap Landscaper Jeff Sirle said, “Today is important for the students because we’re
finding that a lot of students are growing up not having experience with horticulture and
agriculture.” In addition, he said that it gives students a chance to see if that's something they
might be interested in.
“The Lakes Region Career Center in Kingswood, which is right down the road, [is a
place] where these kids would have further opportunities if they wanted to to learn.”
The Belknap Landscaping Company has worked with a variety of schools in the lakes
region, including Winnisquam Middle school where they helped install a prepping for a hoop
house, a form of a greenhouse. In previous years they have also worked with Laconia High
School, Gilford Middle School and High School. Although it was not the first time they planted
a tree at a school, it was a first for ACS.
“What’s nice about a tree is that it can be interactive. It is something that will help
improve the quality of the environment for years to come” said Sirles.
Sirles said that the Maple tree was a thoughtful decision because it’s a durable tree,
meaning that they do not have to worry about it getting sick.
Principle of Alton Central School John MacArthur said it helps bring what they’re
taught in the classroom alive; this gave them an opportunity to see first hand how to use math
and other useful skills other than in school.
Turner Flood was one of the fifth graders that got his hands dirty while planting the
tree. He said, “We are studying plants in our science class and our teacher showed us sugar
maple trees and red maple tree leaves and when we looked at the tree we knew it was a
sugar maple.”
The school had held the 10th annual Winni Walk at the school in the morning the same
day the tree was put in. This is a time when all of the different grade levels walk for selected
charities to raise thousands of dollars.
Flood claims that it was his idea of making the tree planting an annual tradition. “I said
to one of my very teachers Mr. Brown, ‘maybe every year after we finish the Winni walk we
should plant a tree?’ And so they started talking about it. I think it’s going to be good.”
MacArthur l reacted to the proposal for the new annual event by saying,“I love that
idea. We need more [trees].” He continued to say that this experience was a great opportunity
for the fifth and sixth graders. “It gives them a sense of pride and community for their school.”
If any school in the lakes region area is interested in having the Belknap Landscapers
at their school they can reach out to Sirles at jsirles@belknaplandscape.com. “We are
motivated to work with any school around the greater lakes region.”