Free street trees available

COEUR d'ALENE - The city of Coeur d'Alene is giving away small-species street trees.

They have to be planted in public right-of-way areas where there are overhead power lines within the city limits.

The trees are available to homeowners or residents who are willing to provide care, including watering and protection from mowers and trimmer, according to Coeur d'Alene urban forestry coordinator Katie Kosanke.

"Trees are planted at no cost to the homeowner to enhance our neighborhoods," Kosanke said. "Trees reduce air pollution, increase oxygen in the air, mitigate stormwater runoff, buffer noises, lower energy costs, increase property value and much more."

Planting tall-growing trees under or near power lines eventually requires a utility provider to prune them to maintain safe clearance from the wires.

This pruning may result in the tree having an unnatural appearance.

Periodic pruning can also lead to a shortened life span for the tree.

Trees that must be pruned away from power lines are under greater stress and are more susceptible to insects and disease.

More information is available online at www.cdaidparks.org.

Those interested can email Kosanke at [email protected], or call the Urban Forestry division of the Parks Department at (208) 769-2266.

More information about proper tree selection can also be found on Avista's website at www.avistautilities.com.

Funding for the trees has come from street tree funds collected on residential building permits and a donation from Avista.