Lilac, ginkgo trees planted on Penn College campuses
Tuesday, April 22, 2025
Photos by Alexandra Butler, photographer/photo editor, unless otherwise noted
It's an extra-exciting Earth Day in the courtyard of the Dunham Children's Learning Center, as two Penn College horticulturists engage the little ones in planting a Bloomerang dark purple lilac tree. Kneeling at left is Joel D. Steppe, with Ben J. Myers on right.
Youngsters at the Dunham Children’s Learning Center celebrated Earth Day with an addition to their fenced-in outdoor play area. The wide-eyed children assisted staff from General Services in planting a Bloomerang dark purple lilac tree.
“Our second-shift horticulturist, Ben Myers, proposed the idea to me in one of our weekly meetings, so we ran with it,” explained Joel D. Steppe, assistant horticulturist/grounds & motor pool manager. “We reached out to Linda Reichert (director of the Children’s Learning Center) to see what her thoughts were on inviting the children out to the dig for Earth Day. She was instantly on board, along with the rest of her staff.”
According to Steppe, the tree will produce “a true floral extravaganza” from spring through fall, with dark purple blossoms emerging in mid-spring and mid-summer. “The hardy, low-maintenance tree delivers a stunning display, creating a vibrant focal point within the landscape year after year,” he said.
As for the planting, Steppe called it a “great opportunity” for the children to experience Earth Day and have fun doing so. He posed a simple question to prove his point: “What kid doesn’t like playing in the dirt?”
On another Penn College campus – the Schneebeli Earth Science Center – an additional tree-planting activity took place on Earth Day, and it also honors Arbor Day.
With the help of horticulturist Shawn M. Silvis, four landscape/plant production technology students planted a ginkgo tree. According to the Arbor Day Foundation, the ginkgo is one of the oldest and most distinct trees in the world. It’s known for providing attractive yellow fall color.
Earth Day is celebrated annually on April 22, and Arbor Day is held on the last Friday in April. This year's arbor observance lands on Friday, April 25.
“What kid doesn’t like playing in the dirt?” asked Steppe.
Myers gets some extra-special help from his daughter, Izzy.
At the college's Earth Science Center, a ginkgo tree is planted by landscape/plant production technology students (from left): Rori K. Walker, Richfield; Lillian M. Silvis, Williamsport; Rachael J. Brunner, Hamburg; and Diane Y. Saylor, Pennsylvania Furnace. (Photo by Shawn M. Silvis, Earth Science Center horticulturist)