(January 21, 2002) -- Roughly 70 new street trees will be planted in the vicinity of Palo Verde Ave. between Willow and Spring Streets on January 26 and February 16...and organizers of the event have invited volunteers to show up and lend a hand (or two).
LBReport.com reader Jacob Ellens of the Iroquois Ave. Neighborhood Watch tells us "a grant from California ReLeaf for about $4850...will pay for about 142 trees to be planted by volunteers in parkways and frontage road medians in the general area bounded by Spring, Willow, Palo Verde and Studebaker. The city is involved, has granted permission and approval for the planting."
Mr. Ellens emailed us a flier inviting volunteers to "help dig, help water the trees or just watch and provide encouragement. The planting should be complete within about two hours." It says the trees are "deep rooted, pest free, approved by the City and a good choice for trouble free street trees."
The flier adds that shovels and supervision will be will be provided by LB City Hall's Neighborhood Resources Bureau with help from LB's Conservation Corps.
The flier cites benefits of street trees including:
Increasing home property values by 10% to 20%.
Beautifying a neighborhood and making it more attractive for existing and potential new residents
Cooling streets and provide shade on hot summer days
Helping clean the air by absorbing carbon dioxide, while producing oxygen and filtering air pollution.
Dates: Two Saturdays: Jan. 26 & Feb. 16, 2002
(In case of heavy rain, organizers say tree planting will be postponed to the following Saturday.)
Time: 8:30 a.m.
Place: Volunteers should meet at staging area in front of Emerson School, 2625 Josie Ave (near corner of Palo Verde Ave. and Willow St.)
Dress: Wear "digging shoes and clothes"
For further info, Mr. Ellens invites LBReport.com readers to email him at: JELLENS@aew.com