WEST ORANGE, NJ - West Orange Township celebrated Arbor Day on April 26 with the planting of two dogwood trees at Redwood Elementary School.

Last year, the Township and West Orange Environmental Commission created bio-retention systems at Washington Elementary, Redwood Elementary, Kelly Elementary, Liberty Middle, and Roosevelt Middle Schools. Unfortunately, the rain run-off from the roof at Redwood over-saturated the garden at Redwood, and only a few plants survived. As a solution, Mayor Susan McCartney, Township Forester Walter Kipp, and the Department of Public Works arranged to have two hybrid dogwood trees planted to help absorb excess water. When the dogwoods bloom, the flowers will be pink. Chairman of the West Orange Environmental Commission Mike Brick was also present to speak to students.

Kindergarten and third grade students attended the planting, with the third grade buddies teaming up with their kindergarten counterparts as their names were pulled from a bowl by Principal Kimya Jackson and Mayor McCartney.

SEE ALL THE PHOTOS FROM ARBOR DAY AT REDWOOD SCHOOL HERE.

Kindergarten teacher Ms. Rispoli with Principal Kimya Jackson