Planting for the future

COEUR d'ALENE — The city of Coeur d'Alene has announced the availability of street trees to be planted in public right-of-way areas within the city limits through the CDA Re-Leaf program.

Trees are planted at no cost to the homeowner to enhance our neighborhoods. Trees reduce air pollution, increase oxygen in the air, mitigate storm water runoff, buffer noises, reduce energy costs, increase property value and much more. Priority for the trees is given to new neighborhoods (younger than 10 years old).

The young trees are available to homeowners or residents who are willing to provide care, including watering and protecting from mowers and trimmers. Interested residents should contact the Urban Forestry Division of the Coeur d'Alene Parks Department to sign up for a street tree. The number of available trees is limited and they will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Funding for the trees came from a street tree fee collected on residential building permits. The owners of the homes whose street tree fees have been forfeited are the first choice for using these funds. The city has already contacted those property owners. However, some trees are still unclaimed.

The tree species still available are heritage birch, Kentucky coffee tree, tulip tree and pin oak. The trees will be planted by contract tree planting crews in May. Since the tree supply is limited, interested homeowners are encouraged to reply as soon as possible.

Information and a response form are available online at www.cdaidparks.org. You can also send an email to kkosanke@cdaid.org, or call the Urban Forestry division of the Parks Department at 769-2266.