The City of Battle Creek received a Consumers Energy grant to plant new trees, and staff is looking for neighbors interested in plantings on their properties.
The grant – for $1,500 – will fund the planting of five Callery pear trees. In addition, the city has a rehabilitation contract to plant additional trees. The contract will allow the planting of four Callery pear and nine red maple trees.
The grant-funded pear trees must be planted in city rights of way, or otherwise on city property, and must be planted 40 feet from any overhead wires or utility poles. Due to the grant criteria, these trees may work best in parks and larger green spaces.
The contract trees can be planted anywhere on a neighbor’s private property.
The pear trees grow 30 to 50 feet tall and grow best in full sun, but will tolerate some shade. The red maple trees grow 40 to 60 feet tall, and grow best in full sun.
Anyone who would like to be considered for a tree planting should contact city Civil Engineer Eric Campbell at 269-966-3343. Trees will be planted on a first-come, first-served basis.
The grant program is presented by Consumers and the Michigan Forestry and Park Association. It assists municipalities with tree planting projects on lands open to the public.