To beautify and buffer noise on busy LaGrange Road in Orland Township, nearly 40 plum tree and hazelnut scrubs were recently planted near the street’s borders at the Cook County Forest Preserve.
The work at Orland Grassland was the result of a collaborative effort by the Orland Grassland Volunteers, the University of Illinois Extension’s master naturalists, the Forest Preserve and Andrew High School staff and students.
Officials said the project was the first time the groups had worked together.
“The shrub area is going to grow up to be a beautiful buffer between LaGrange Road and the prairie,” Orland Grassland site steward Patricia Hayes said. “So, it is not only providing an important nursery of native shrubs for us, but it’s also going to aesthetically block LaGrange Road traffic . . .”
Under the direction of University of Illinois Extension coordinator and master naturalist Brigit Anne Holt, the college extension group took cuttings of native plum tree and hazelnut plants and nurtured them for a May 5 planting at the northeast corner of the Orland Grassland by five Andrew High School students from science teacher Laura Kirby’s advanced placement environmental sciences class.
Kirby said the students studied conservation and restoration as part of this year’s curriculum, but she wanted a hands-on experience for them and approached Hayes for some ideas.
“I’m really looking forward to a real live… opportunity where the kids can do real science… as opposed to being in the lab,” Kirby said prior to the planting. “This is an opportunity that gets them in the field… It’s of benefit to our community and the ecosystem that we are in.”
Hayes put together the shrub propagation project for the groups, which she said was “deemed to be a perfect match” for all parties involved.
During the project, master naturalist Annette Pletcher demonstrated the proper planting technique to students Tom Windle, Marissa Bonarek, Katy Konchan, Molly Kosche and Scott Nemec. The students planted and watered the cuttings before erecting fencing around each plant and securing it with stakes to protect the tender shoots from wildlife.
Nearly 40 plum tree and hazelnut cuttings were planted all together. Hayes said the young plants will need some follow-up care to ensure their growth.
Hayes said the planting is timed to take advantage of spring rains in an area that has a natural moisture level, but human involvement will be key to the plants’ well-being and the students are encouraged to remain involved in the project whenever they have the time to give.
“(Orland Grassland Volunteers) will be filling in any gaps or following through to make sure that the plantings are watered properly,” Hayes said. “Individual students may find this is of special interest to them… and whatever their schedule allows … become caregivers…”
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Calling the project a “win-win,” Hayes said she believes there is a future for more cooperative efforts involving area schools.
“We can see how we can work together and make this grow for the students,” Hayes said.
Ginger Brashinger is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.