Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Wednesday, June 25, 2014
(BLOOMINGTON) - Bloomington will look a little greener this fall with the addition of new trees in the downtown area.
CFC Properties, a subsidiary of the Cook Group, is funding the purchase of trees with a donation to the Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department.
The trees are to be planted in front of Grazie Italian Eatery on West Sixth Street.
The trees, American Linden, cost $1,500 and are currently 3 inches in diameter and about 12 feet tall. The trees are expected to grow up to 50 feet tall.
The trees currently residing in front of Grazie Italian Eatery are to be removed by the Bloomington Public Works street department.
The process will include the removal of the trees and the addition of 5-foot by 5-foot planting grates that will control the American Lindens' growth.
The removal process is expected to cost less than $10,000.
Removal of older trees can happen for any number of reasons, including dangerous limbs and decay.
Before a tree is removed, the Parks and Recreation Department notifies citizens by placing a plaque in front of the tree stating why it should be removed.
People then have a limited time frame to protest the tree's removal.
Every year the Parks department plants about 400 trees and removes between 200 and 300.
Director of Bloomington Parks and Recreation says the trees have a positive effect on the local economy, the aesthetics they bring to downtown businesses attract consumers and incur implicit profits.
The attraction of the downtown trees is seen more prominently every winter during the Festival of Lights, in which lights are displayed on the trees to celebrate the holidays. The trees also have an influence on the environment visually and they buffer noise.
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