Students, SDG&E partner to plant 20 trees on Ramona Elementary campus - Ramona, CA

Students, SDG&E partner to plant 20 trees on Ramona Elementary campus - Ramona Sentinel

Ramona Elementary students got their hands dirty, learned some history, and were quick to answer questions about trees, power lines, fire and shade when San Diego Gas & Electric representatives spent the morning with them.

“We want this to be something you can look back on and say, ‘when I was a kid, I was here, I planted this tree,’” Don Akau, SDG&E vegetation management program manager, said before five dignitaries threw the first shovels of dirt to secure a tree in the ground. “When you put a tree in the ground, you’re planting it for life. It gives life to those that have life...so, as you dig in today, think about what you’re doing, putting life into the ground. Thank you for letting us be part of that.”

The utility company selected Ramona Elementary for what SDG&E certified arborist Jimmie Webb called its signature Arbor Day celebration this year. SDG&E donated 20 trees, and students helped plant them throughout the campus on April 27. Twelve fruitless mulberries, three purple leaf plums, three Southern magnolias and two red flowering eucalyptus were planted.