Tree planting program makes multiple stops in Teche Area Monday

BY STEPHEN HEMELT, THE DAILY IBERIAN

BALDWIN — Teche Area locations New Iberia, West St. Mary High School and former Gov. Mike Foster’s home Oaklawn in Franklin have been prepped for a shady future.

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Thanks to Bob’s Tree Service owner Bob Thibodeaux and 20 bicycle riders, around 300 oak trees were planted Monday in part of a larger effort to plant 2,000 trees between Lake Charles and Houma.

The riders are participating in Acorns of Hope, an event scheduled each year for the next five years and ensuring the planting of 10,000 new trees.

Three trees, genetically superior Live Oaks called Orange Island Oaks, were planted Monday morning at the Iberia Parish Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. The riders continued their journey to West St. Mary High School around mid-day, where another 250 trees were planted.

Monday’s event ended at the former governor’s residence in Franklin.

“I am so excited at how things went,” Thibodeaux said. “Every-body that participated not only gave of their time for free, but paid for their way to come down here.”

Thibodeaux said studies showed 65 percent of the Louisiana trees lost following hurricanes Katrina and Rita were preventable losses.

“More than 30 years ago there was a shift in the industry from pure quality to cheapest way possible,” he said. “The trees planted here today and this week are all planted by the some of the best tree people in the nation and will still be here 30 years from now.”

Monday’s effort also included a lunch and presentation on proper tree planting routines at West St. Mary High School. Members of city government, the school district and the Louisiana Garden Club were on hand along with the former governor.

Students and others were encouraged to follow proper spacing requirements when placing new trees, while also told to clear top grass from around a new tree planting.

A circle of no grass around a new tree allows the tree to soak in all nutrients and prevents lawnmower scrapes that serve to weaken a tree’s base over time.

All trees planted by Acorns of Hope are Orange Island Oaks, which grow faster than normal oak trees.

Thibodeaux contracted with wholesale nursery owner Mike Richard, who engineered Orange Island Oaks at Live Oak Gardens in Jefferson Island.