There’s Trouble in ‘Maple City’ as Tree Planting Is Attacked
If a city councilman has his way, the town that calls itself “Maple City” will prune back or uproot entirely a 90-year-old law requiring property owners to plant trees.
The law, enacted in 1900 by the City Council, assesses residents $500 fines if they don’t plant trees in front of their houses.
“It’s not the city’s business to demand that people plant trees on their property,” Councilman Tom Stump said at a recent meeting. At the least, the fine should be trimmed to $50, he said.
Mayor Mike Puro supports the current law, saying the trees that line the streets of this northern Indiana city of 20,000 improve the quality of life. The council will debate the proposal Sept. 4.
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