Members of the Fayette Rotary Club were in the city park on Thursday, Nov. 10, to help local arborist Dakota Wells plant a bur oak near the Lembke Field. The club used funds from a District Simplified Grant from Rotary International to purchase the tree in honor of Fayette’s Bicentennial. A stone marker designating the tree as the Rotary Bicentennial tree will be placed by the tree sometime in the future.

The tree committee consisting of Club President Greg Stidham, Roger Lembke, Erik Martinez, Kurt Rohr, and Gale Schafer, chose a burr oak because of its strength, longevity, and size. A bur oak can live 200 to 300 years and grow to a height of 80 feet. Bur oaks provide food for squirrels and dense shade. They are resistant to air pollution and heat stress and grow well in mid-Missouri.

Recently, the club planted a dogwood tree on the courthouse square to replace the Rotary’s red oak, which was moved to the city park in October.

In other activity, Rotary President Greg Stidham presented Bekki Galloway with a check for $100 for Howard County Health and Wellness at the club’s regular meeting on Nov. 8. The donation is part of the club’s Happy Can project, which supports many community organizations and activities.