Riley Elementary fifth-graders were bursting with pride Thursday afternoon, when members of the Great Bend Tree Board arrived to plant "their" tree.

The Autumn Fantasy Maple was purchased with gifts in memory of board member Don Humphreys, who died earlier this year. Other elementary schools in town have also been offered trees, said Charles Waknitz, president of the Tree Board. He hopes to plant one more this month, and the rest in the spring.

The tree was planted on the playground and will be visible to motorists from 10th Street. While all of the students can enjoy it, the three fifth-grade classes got to help plant it, with each student tossing a handful of dirt on the roots.

"I heard (trees) could live to be really old, like 100," Riley student Aaron Contreras said.

"Don would have loved this," Alice Humphreys said. She said her late husband chose Burr Oaks when selecting trees for their church, liking their rugged appearance. The Autumn Fantasy Maple will grow tall and sport bright red leaves in the fall. "I think this will be beautiful," Mrs. Humphreys said.

District Forester Jim Strine from Kansas State University was on hand and asked how many of the students had ever climbed a tree. Several hands shot up.

"Did you plant the tree?" Strine told the students they will be able to return to their school years from now and point to the big tree they helped plant.

"This is perfect," Assistant Principal JoAnn Blevins said. "Every time they come out here, they'll remember it.

"They were even talking about naming it."