Photo by Kacie Fuselier

SJA Marks Arbor Day with Tree Planting

An oak tree in the St. Joseph’s Academy orchard was moved to a new location along Broussard Street. The transplanting of the 12- to 15-year-old tree took place on Arbor Day, January 15. The day before, 10 crepe myrtle trees were planted along the sidewalk leading from the Dining Hall into the Kleinert Street parking lot.

“The master plan for our urban forest is in keeping with the commitment of the Sisters of St. Joseph and the tradition of St. Joseph’s Academy to a clean environment...” Sister Adele Lambert, CSJ, president

Both plantings are part of SJA’s plan for its urban forest, which integrates economic, environmental and social values to carefully manage the tree canopy and green spaces. SJA has created a master plan for its trees, all of which have been identified and marked with silver dog tags. Scott Courtright, a licensed arborist and degreed forester, is working with the Academy to “do the right things for the trees and campus.” Courtright, owner of Trinity Tree Consultants, is also chairman of the Louisiana Urban Forestry Council’s (LUFC) education committee.

A parking lot which will be built in conjunction with the new Academic Performing Arts Center necessitated the moving of the oak tree. The crepe myrtles were planted to replace trees lost to recent hurricanes, insects or disease.

“The master plan for our urban forest is in keeping with the commitment of the Sisters of St. Joseph and the tradition of St. Joseph’s Academy to a clean environment, green spaces and a shaded canopy on our campus,” said Sister Adele Lambert, CSJ, Academy president.

Following the planting, Courtright spoke to the students who had gathered to watch. “Now that you’ve witnessed the transplanting of this tree, you are a part of it,” he said. “This tree will live for 150 years, and you will be part of its life. You will bring your children here to see it. That ownership is very special.”

Courtright explained that over the next few weeks, the tree will undergo drastic changes as it goes dormant. Its leaves will turn colors and then drop. As the weather warms into spring, the tree will bud out, and new green leaves will appear.

Courtright also explained that SJA is studying its carbon footprint. Trees are an important part of offsetting the impact of carbon emissions on the ozone level, as they absorb an ever-increase amount of carbon as they grow, he said.

“Now that the trees have been inventoried, we are set to take this to the next level and use scientific methods to determine how many trees we need to plant to offset carbon emissions from cars and other sources on campus,” Courtright said. “This is part of SJA’s ongoing commitment to ‘going green.’”

Courtright said that students will be involved in the process of forestry management and that he and school administrators are working closely to create avenues for such involvement. One idea is a garden club, he said. “We are excited to find ways in which students can be actively involved in impacting our environment,” he said.


Mindy Brodhead Averitt
Communications Director