New trees are coming to Howell

HOWELL — The Shade Tree Commis-sion has received a $25,000 grant from the Cool Cities Community Stewardship Incentive Program (CSIP) to plant about 100 trees along Salem Hill and Newbury roads.

The Shade Tree Commission plans to begin planting the trees along the designated streets in the spring of 2007. The new trees will fill in the gaps in the existing tree canopy. This will increase the amount of shade in the summer, which will help to lower temperatures, thereby decreasing energy demands of air conditioners, according to a press release.

In the winter, the trees will help to decrease the chilling effects of winter winds. The trees will also help to improve air quality by breaking up the polluting effects of dust and emissions, as well as helping to beautify the neighborhood, according to the press release.

Members of the Shade Tree Commission have identified specific properties which are in need of additional tree coverage. Residents will be offered the opportunity to participate in the planting program on a voluntary basis. If the identified homeowners do not wish to participate, the trees will be given to other homeowners in the area.

In order to provide ample space in which to plant the trees, owners of the selected properties will be asked to sign off on a temporary easement of 10 feet to supplement the existing 10-foot easement. This temporary easement will expire two years after the time of planting.