The students with Herbie’s Hangout after-school program hold up the name they each selected for the new tree they helped plant in Lincoln Park. In photo, up front Harper Reitzer. In the back from left to right, Oliver Brigger, Stella Lingle, Vera Netzke, Evelyn Surdy, Abigail Kline and Bryer Arends.

NEW ULM – Lincoln Park received a new tree Thursday courtesy of the students in the Herbie’s Hangout after-school program.

Seven kids with Herbie’s Hangout assisted New Ulm Park and Recreation intern Erica Dovhalionok in planting a new Red Maple on the north end of Lincoln Park as part of the department’s Arbor Day program. Each of the students had a hand in planting the new tree by either pushing in or shoveling in dirt around the tree.

Dovhalionok said the kids in Herbie’s Hangout were able to vote on the tree species they wanted to plant and the majority chose the Red Maple. Lincoln Park was selected to receive the new tree to replace some of the ash trees recently removed from the location.

After planting the tree, the kids had the honor of naming the tree. Most chose to name it “Maple” or “Red,” though one young girl chose “Rubi.”