Spokane area greening up

Spokane City Hall and neighborhood groups are gearing up again this year for new rounds of plantings in an effort to get 10,000 trees in the ground by the end of 2016.

Neighborhood groups across the city are embracing the program, pitching in to plant new trees and shrubs and pledging to keep them watered as they grow.

At the same time, proposed park developments and trail plans in Spokane Valley call for substantial tree and landscape plantings.

In Lincoln Heights, about two dozen volunteers helped plant 25 trees in the open spaces of the tree-lined median along 35th Avenue from Thor to Fiske streets last fall. Another 11 trees were planted along Southeast Boulevard.

That is just one of numerous projects across the Spokane region aimed at bringing more foliage and shade to the urban footprint.

“We are really focused on greening,” said Alicia Powell, coordinator for the Forest Spokane initiative, which is a key player in reaching the goal of 10,000 plantings in two years.

Trees provide a broad range of environmental benefits, helping cool the air during summer and shading buildings to cut air conditioning costs. During winter, trees offer a wind break to help buildings reduce heat loss.

They also slow runoff by absorbing rainwater and snowmelt and slowing its flow toward sidewalks, streets and sewers.

Spokane’s stormwater utility is putting money into tree-planting programs as part of public works projects as well as “greening” grants to neighborhoods.

It is part of the city’s $310 million plan to reduce stormwater pollution in the Spokane River.

“What a tree does is provide water storage,” said Marlene Feist, spokeswoman for the stormwater utility.

Spokane currently has about 77,000 trees on public property. The city wants to plant trees in places where they will intercept stormwater, she said.

Tree City USA

Last fall, residents in the Loma Vista area planted 25 trees in Loma Vista Park. During the event, they heard tips from experts on tree stewardship.

This spring, about 2,000 trees will be given away to residents for planting, officials said.

Spokane in 2014 was given a Tree City USA designation for the 12th consecutive year.

Millwood to the east, which has an aging tree canopy, has also embraced Tree City USA principles.

Spokane County last year completed a major stormwater mitigation project on Country Homes Boulevard, which involved extensive plantings.

In Spokane Valley, a new Browns Park master plan calls for adding new trees around the perimeter of the park while expanding volleyball facilities.

The Spokane Valley park and library conceptual site plan calls for trees, a reading garden, public art and a landscaped water feature. The site is on the north side of Sprague Avenue between Herald and Balfour roads. Forty-four trees plus other plantings are included in the Appleway Trail design.

Also, 73 trees were planted along Sprague from Park to Thierman roads and 55 trees went in along Appleway from Dora to Park roads in the past two years.

Spokane city street projects last year also brought new stormwater measures to the public right of way, including High Drive and South Monroe Street.

List has tips for tree choice

Spokane’s Urban Forestry Department, which is a key participant in the planting programs, has worked with neighborhood groups and residents on tree plantings.

Urban Forestry provides a list of smaller and medium-size trees that are suitable for planting along streets or in parking medians.

Among the community partners in tree planting is Nancy MacKerrow, founder of the Susie Forest, which she formed in 2002 in tribute to her daughter, Susie Stephens, who died in a traffic accident while riding her bike.

MacKerrow donates $3,500 annually to the Susie Forest, which is not confined to Spokane. Her work should surpass 300 tree plantings this year, city officials said.

Powell said that three schools on the North Side are working with MacKerrow on a “read for trees” program.

Several projects around the city will use federal community development funds in conjunction with Forest Spokane grants.

According to a city report, here are some of the projects this year and last year in Spokane:

• Emerson-Garfield Neighborhood is set to planting 25 trees on Atlantic and Stevens streets north of Indiana Avenue.

• The Friends of Comstock Park are working to bring more ponderosa trees to Comstock Park. Wilson Elementary School students are involved in that project.

• The Nevada-Lidgerwood Neighborhood Council has committed funds to removal and replacement of street trees.

• Montessori school students will be working with the city on plantings along Northwest Boulevard.

• A median on Driscoll Boulevard in Northwest Spokane will be getting mulch around 26 trees planted with help from adjacent residents.

• Newly planted trees at Sky Prairie Park will be getting layers of mulch.

• Chief Garry Park is planning a perennial butterfly garden on public right of way next to Christ the King Church. There is a community garden there, too.

• In the East Central neighborhood, plans call for planting a tree and perennial vegetation at city right of way at 2003 E. First Ave. Also, a day care center is getting a perennial butterfly garden to go along with a Japanese pagoda tree.

• In the Latah Valley, Friends of the Bluff are moving into the second phase of a large riparian planting with the help of the Lands Council, Spokane Riverkeeper and the Spokane chapter of Trout Unlimited.

• Moody Bible Institute students are participating in planting a tree and perennial vegetation at Logan Elementary School.

• In the Garland District, seven new street trees are planned along Garland Avenue at Post Street with perennials at the base of each tree. It is part of a Garland Business District project.

• In West Central, four ponderosa pines are going to be planted near Summit Boulevard and Boone Avenue.