The Kiowa County Tree Arboretum (open to the public) will be located at the Kiowa County Fairgrounds (northwest corner of Greensburg, KS).

The arboretum will be planted with over 80 trees that are adapted to the area by student in the Home Horticulture class at Fort Hays State University.

The trees will be labeled to allow visitors to know specifically what  variety they are looking at and to see what the tree looks like before opting to plant it in their own landscape. Very few trees survived the tornado that struck Greensburg, so the arboretum will encourage homeowners to plant the best adapted trees for their location.

Assisting the students in planting trees will be the Kiowa County Master Gardeners (a voluntary group, Kiowa County 4-H members and citizens of Greensburg. The tree list was determined by a cooperative effort between the Greensburg City Tree Board, the Kiowa County Extension Office and the Kansas Forest Service. After planting drip irrigation will be installed and the area mulched.

The FHSU students will also be planting an ornamental grass display along the main street in Greensburg.

A ceremony recognizing the efforts of the students and Arbor Day 2009 was held  in front of the courthouse. Dignitaries speaking include Kansas House Representative Pat Maloney, Greensburg Mayor Bob Dixson and representatives from U.S. Senator Pat Robert’s Office. A proclamation issued by the Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius was read along with a letter of support  from Senator Ruth Teichman. (story courtesy of FHSU Horticulure).