Officials at Missouri State University-West Plains (MSU-WP) received plenty of help when they planted a dogwood tree on campus Thursday, April 25, in honor of Arbor Day.

They were joined by several eighth-grade students from Howell Valley School, who helped dig the hole and place the tree on the north side of Lybyer Hall off Cass Avenue.

The tree was purchased from West Plains Greenhouse and Nursery.

University officials also gave away 50 silver maple tree seedlings purchased from the Missouri Department of Conservation to the students and others attending the ceremony.