Planting Roots and Growing Futures: Heritage Middle School Becomes a Level 1 Arboretum
On May 8, 2025, Heritage Middle School in Berwyn, Illinois, celebrated a significant milestone by achieving Level 1 Arboretum status through the ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program. This accomplishment was the result of a collaborative tree planting event involving students, staff, and partners from The Morton Arboretum.
The school’s Climate Action School champions, alongside 7th-grade students from Rachel Belkov’s class, actively participated in planting a diverse array of trees, contributing to the development of the school’s Food Forest. This initiative not only enhanced the school’s green space but also provided students with hands-on experience in environmental stewardship.
Achieving Level 1 Arboretum status signifies that Heritage Middle School has met essential criteria, including maintaining a collection of at least 25 different species of woody plants, having a governing body, a strategic plan for the arboretum, dedicated staff or volunteers, and providing public access or educational programs .
During the planting event, students learned best practices for tree planting, such as:
- Planting Hole: Digging a hole 2–3 times the width of the root ball but only as deep as the root ball itself to ensure the root flare is at or slightly above ground level .
- Root Flare: Ensuring the root flare (where the trunk widens at the base) is visible above the soil line to prevent rot and encourage healthy growth.
- Backfilling: Using the original soil to backfill, gently tamping it down to eliminate air pockets without compacting it excessively.
- Mulching: Applying a 2–4 inch layer of organic mulch in a donut shape around the base of the tree, keeping it a few inches away from the trunk to prevent moisture buildup and potential rot .
- Watering: Providing consistent watering, especially during the first two years, to establish a robust root system.
During our visit to Heritage Middle School, TAG team members had the rewarding opportunity to assist in planting a Shagbark Hickory, a Magnolia, and a Fir tree. This hands-on experience not only contributed to the school’s green initiative but also provided valuable insights into tree planting best practices.
One particularly enlightening moment was working with the Shagbark Hickory. Upon inspection, we noticed the presence of girdling roots—roots that encircle the trunk, potentially restricting the tree’s growth and nutrient uptake. Recognizing the importance of addressing this issue early, we carefully pruned the circling roots, ensuring not to disturb the tree excessively during its critical transplanting phase. Properly managing girdling roots at planting time is essential, as they can lead to long-term health problems for the tree if left uncorrected .
The next three years are vital for the establishment and growth of these newly planted trees. Consistent care, including appropriate watering, mulching, and monitoring for any signs of stress or disease, will be crucial during this period. Given the enthusiasm and dedication displayed by the students at Heritage Middle School, we are confident that these trees will thrive under their stewardship.
This experience not only enhanced the school’s landscape but also served as an educational platform, fostering environmental awareness and responsibility among the students. We are proud to have been a part of this initiative and look forward to seeing the continued growth and success of Heritage Middle School’s arboretum.
This event not only enhanced the school’s landscape but also served as an educational experience, fostering environmental stewardship among students. Congratulations to Heritage Middle School on this remarkable achievement!
