News Photo by Julie Riddle District Forester Brittany VanderWall, of the Presque Isle Conservation District, appreciates a transitional forest grove in Herman Vogler Conservation Area in Rogers City on Tuesday.

ROGERS CITY — For a healthier tomorrow, plant a tree today, according to Brittany VanderWall, Presque Isle County district forester.

In collaboration with conservation organization Huron Pines, the Presque Isle Conservation District is encouraging future forest health and cleaner air by teaching residents the proper way to plant a tree.

“You don’t just dig a hole and put a tree in there,” VanderWall said.

About 100 trees have been ordered for a planting event on May 1 at Herman Vogler Conservation Area in Rogers City.

The forest is taking care of reseeding itself after some clearcutting in recent years, so the event will be more for teaching — with a little woodsy fun thrown in — than for filling in gaps, VanderWall said.

To give a tree the best possible start, planters should know about soil preparation, hole size, root pruning, and planting gels — factors that will be taught through hands-on experience at the planting event, the forester said.

Tree species selection is another important component of planting. Adding variety to tree groves, yards, and forests strengthens the tree ecosystem, making it more resilient to insects and the longer growing seasons associated with global warming.

Learning to plant properly doesn’t just improve a tree’s life, VanderWall said — it also adds to the quality of human life.

Trees suck up carbon, cleaning the air that fills human lungs. They’re good for hearts and minds, too, VanderWall said, citing science that shows the psychological benefits of simply spending time in the woods.

“Planting a tree, nurturing a new plant life, and watching it grow; I think no matter who you are, you can get behind that,” VanderWall said.

To plant a tree

WHAT: Tree-planting event

WHEN: 10 a.m. to noon, May 1

WHERE: Herman Vogler Conservation Area, Rogers City

COST: Free; space is limited

Register at huronpines.org/events

The first 20 registrants will receive a complimentary tree to plant at home