600 elementary students are out planting trees this week as the city of Casper celebrates Arbor day and Arbor week. The celebration kicked off Monday.

"So we have actually an Arbor week and when we're done will have 224 trees added to our tree canopy."

Jolene Martinez, administrative analyst for the city says there were 200 students out Monday, a group from North Casper Elementary were busy digging on Tuesday and other schools are scheduled throughout the week.

Arbor day also  marks the first day of sign up for the city of Casper's residential tree planting cost share program. A pilot on the program last fall went well and so now they've opened up an application period for eligible residents now through the end of June.

Martinez says, basically if you have boulevard or your willing to grant the city an easement adjacent to your curb walk they'll split the cost and for a time, the care.

"We come out, go over the list of trees with you. Its a list of trees that work with the streets, that grow well in Wyoming. The city purchases the tree. The homeowner is responsible for 50 percent of the cost of the tree only."

Martinez says trees run from around $120 to $250. The city assists in the care for the first six months, then offers tree care training to the homeowner who then takes over.

 

 

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