As clouds gathered, threatening to bring thunderstorms, volunteers at the LSU AgCenter’s Burden Center celebrated Arbor Day with friends and family Saturday by planting trees.
Though National Arbor Day is celebrated in April, Louisiana and the Burden Center observe the holiday in January. This was the third consecutive year the Burden Center hosted the event, which serves a vital role in replenishing a once densely forested area adjacent to I-10, according to Jeff Kuehny, resident director of the Burden Center.
“Hurricane Gustav destroyed 70 percent of the old growth, about 600 trees,” Kuehny said. “By destroying those trees, the hurricane also added a significant amount of outside noise from cars traveling on the interstate. You used to be able to look around and see nothing but trees, but now you can see straight through to I-10.”
LSU horticulture graduate student Carly Gillett said a significant amount of southern magnolias were on hand because their waxy covering helps to block noise from cars traveling on the interstate.
Oak trees similar to those planted on campus in the 1930s by arborist Steele Burden, the Burden Center’s namesake, were also available, among other trees. All trees planted Saturday were purchased by the Burden Center from a local nursery.
Patrons of all ages, including a troop of girl scout cadets, came from around the Baton Rouge area to plant a tree, hike through the various trails and participate in various other Arbor Day festivities on the 440-acre campus.
“The girls are here today to work on their naturalist badge,” said Girl Scout Leader Kim Bourgeois. “Not only are they able to get one of their legacy badges, they will able to come back every year to check on the tree because after the tree is planted we receive a card with GPS coordinates.”
Individuals who planted trees were also given a cherrybark oak seedling, one of the most highly valued red oaks in the southern United States, to plant at home.
But there was much more going on than simply planting trees. Other events included a hayride, bonfire and scavenger hunt. Many children became most excited when Smokey Bear made an appearance to warn against wildfires.
“I hope participants take away an appreciation for nature,” said AgCenter Chancellor William Richardson. “Kids spend more time playing video games than ever before. Events like this one not only help out the depleted forest, but also teach children about impressive urban forests like the expansive Burden Woods.”
 
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Contact Joshua Bergeron at [email protected]