Ann Arbor plans to plant 1,000 trees this fall/next spring

Tree Town is about to get a big infusion of fresh bark this year (and next) as the city makes plans to plant 1,000 new trees.The city expects to spend about $300,000 buying and planting the trees late this fall and into early next spring. The money is coming from the city’s stormwater fund. “Trees provide an exceptional benefit for stormwater because they suck up so much water in their leaves and trunk,” says Kerry Gray, urban forestry and natural resources planning coordinator for the city of Ann Arbor, adding that a mature maple tree will absorb about 1,000 gallons of water each year. The trees will be planted mostly in areas where there is a low canopy in the city. Ann Arbor officials also expect to replace many of the ash trees lost to the emerald ash borer in recent years. The saplings will also go next to impervious surfaces, such as roads and parking lots, so they can suck up water that might otherwise end up in the sewer system.Source: Kerry Gray, urban forestry and natural resources planning coordinator for the city of Ann ArborWriter: Jon Zemke