City Helps Property Owners Plant Trees [AUDIO]
The city of Casper will help residents plant trees and share the cost of the tree in an effort to keep a healthy tree canopy in neighborhoods. The benefit of healthy trees are numerous, and some areas don't have enough and some areas have trees that are nearing the end of their lifespan.
Trees have a lifespan:
"All trees do have a lifespan and they vary from tree to tree, depending on what type of tree that you have and the conditions it's been planted and living in, so we're introducing a residential tree cost-share program. And so it's for residents who want to plant trees in the area between the sidewalk and the street, and they would like help from the city to do so."
Jolene Martinez, administrative analyst with city's public services department, says the city will put half the cost of the trees and plant the trees. They'll also help residents choose the right kind of trees.
Applications for cost sharing program:
"What they need to do is complete an application, and those are available online at casperwy.gov or keepcasperbeautiful.org. Fill one of those out. If you don't have access to the Internet, we can also send one out; they can call the city Parks Division at 235-8281.
The deadline for applications is August 31st. Once they receive all the applications, said Martinez, the city's arborists will scout out the places new trees would be the most beneficial.
If you don't have a boulevard between the sidewalk and the street, you can still apply for help with a tree by granting the city a landscaping easement. If your application is accepted, you'll need to do one thing.
Tree care instruction session:
"Property owners are responsible for attending a short tree care class and then keeping the tree free from injury by not using a weed trimmers and lawn mowers and such, but we teach what they need to do."
So why is the city wanting new trees?
Some of the benefits of trees:
"The city's tree canopy improves the environmental health, it enhances the aesthetics of neighborhoods and streets, and it really actually protects our streets when you shade them, and they don't require as much maintenance."