Tuesday afternoon, three members of the Rotary Club of Picayune planted two maple trees in the exercise yard of the Pearl River County SPCA. The trees will provide shade for the dogs at the shelter.

Shelter Director Judy Wheaton said the Rotary Club decided to make the donation during Arbor Day in anticipation of the warmer weather during the spring and summer.

Vaccinated adult dogs are brought to the exercise yards daily for an hour to interact and socialize with other dogs at the shelter.

“This allows us to know if they can get along together and be housemates,” Wheaton said.

She said the shelter staff was excited to receive the donation from the Rotary Club, especially since only two of the four exercise yards have shade trees.

The red maples are expected to grow up to 50 feet in height, providing ample shade, she said.

Rotarian Stewart Huey said supporting the shelter is a worthwhile project.

This is the club’s third year planting trees in honor of Arbor Day, where individuals and groups are encouraged to plant as many trees in their community as possible, Huey said.

Last year, the club observed the day by planting trees at local schools. The year before, seedlings were handed out to elementary school students at Pearl River County schools and Picayune schools, he said.