Photo contributed by Crayton Middle School (l- r) Shawn Greenwood, certified arborist and assistant city administrator; Mark Williams, city administrator; Forest Acres Mayor Frank Brunson; Carol Kososki, City's appearance Commission, and Susan Childs, principal of Crayton Middle School. When Crayton Middle School was a comprehensive school serving grades one through eight, young Frank Brunson was a student. Crayton made a huge impact on his life in many ways, but one of his favorite memories is the day he was given a Dogwood Tree at an Arbor Day celebration to plant in his very own yard.

Today years later, that tree still stands healthy and strong in the front yard of the house where he grew up.

On Friday, December 5, 2008, Mayor Brunson, Carol Kososki from the Zoning Board of Appeals, and Arborist Shaun Greenwood joined Crayton Principal, Susan Childs and eighth grade science classes, which are part of the International Baccalaurete Middle Years Program, to dedicate an Acer rubrum (Sunset Red Maple).

The mayor read a proclamation declaring Arbor Day in Forest Acres, and Greenwood bravely fielded botany questions from some 40 to 50 enthusiastic and highly intelligent students.

When fully grown this tree should be 60 to 75 feet tall with a 35 to 40 foot canopy if well cared for. Greenwood presented Principal Childs with special buckets and gave the students directions about how to water and care for the tree properly.

As the students returned to their classes, several stopped by to relieve Childs of her buckets eager to carry out Greenwood's instructions to care for their tree.

Childs said, "Crayton lost many trees during the recent much needed construction, and we are thrilled to be putting some of them back. This tree is going in a courtyard garden that our IB Program science students have been working on as part of a curricular unit. Crayton is proud of its Middle Years International Baccalaureate Program and thrilled with the opportunity to partner with Forest Acres to "go green."