The push was on last week to sell the final trees for the Learning Tree Project, a community-service project of the Pine Needles Garden Club to help it celebrate its 50-year anniversary.

Crystal Hardt, project coordinator, said the project developed because there is no money for landscape improvements at the new John Small Elementary School and P.S. Jones Middle School off Market Street Extension. The project’s purpose is to create a welcoming and functional campus shared by the schools.

“We have sold 50 trees,” Hardt said, “but our goal was to sell at least 50 trees. So, we have met our goal, but the funds we receive after the 50 will go toward the maintenance of the trees.”

The club plans to plant 38 live oaks and 12 crape myrtles.

Ross Boyer, a representative of Pamlico Turf Management, has agreed to plant the trees at 10:30 a.m. Thursday morning.

“I was told of the project, and I really liked it, so I offered to give them a trailer of mulch for the trees,” Boyer said. “It’s for a good cause and is something that’s very important to the environment and to the kids.”

Boyer said he will talk to children about the importance of trees and how they make the environment a better and cleaner place in which to live.

Elizabeth Wilder, a project volunteer, said the project is a much-needed one.

“We are just so thankful for Ross’ help,” she said. “We really couldn’t have done so much without so many people. And with Ross offering to plant all the trees for free, (that) is helping us out tremendously.”

Each tree was expected to cost an estimated $100 to buy, plant and mulch.

“The club, with help from the John Small PTA, would like to see at least 50 trees planted,” Hardt said.

Several students from the elementary school donated money for two trees to be planted in remembrance of two former teachers at the school.

“They pooled whatever money they had in their pockets and put it toward the donation,” she said, “which was only $6.58, but it gives them ownership in the project as well.”

Wilder said the project shows a community can come together to aesthetically improve itself.

“I think it’s representative of what we all need to do in the community,” she said.

Hardt said Doug Boyd, a farmer near Bath, agreed to supply two of his watering trucks for the planting and project preparation.

“We are very gracious for that,” she said. “We can’t thank the community enough.”

Hardt said the club is anxious to see how students will respond to the project.

“Especially in the playground area,” she said, “you want those kids to have shade out there. And right now, there’s nothing on this campus except for the four crape myrtles that were planted when the school opened.”

Hardt said several teachers pooled their resources to enable them to donate a tree in honor of a former teacher, Flora Bell Brown, co-owner of Brownie Bakery.

“She was one of the first teachers and actual guidance counselors for the school system,” Hardt said. “She’s 89 years old, and I think she’s just a neat, neat lady.”

Lisa Tate, principal of John Small Elementary School, was unavailable for comment, but she recently was quoted as saying the project is a boon to the schools’ landscaping and a step in the right direction.

A dedication ceremony has been set for 1 p.m. June 7 at the schools’ shared campus.

Anyone desiring to make a donation to the project may send the donation to John Small PTA, 4103 Market St. Extension, Washington, NC 27889. For more information about the project, contact Crystal Hardt at 252-974-2798 or crystalhardt@suddenlink.net.