Program Will Pay for Planting Trees

In an effort to improve the urban ecology, state grants will be made available to nonprofit groups and local governments to plant trees, officials said.

Trees for the Millennium will provide reimbursements of up to $50,000, said Eric A. Oldar , state coordinator of the Urban and Community Forestry Program at the state Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

Recipients will receive up to $65 for each tree planted plus some labor-related costs, he said. Forestry department staff will provide technical assistance.

The second annual grant program, which has $2 million in funding, was initiated by Gov. Gray Davis.

Grant recipients are asked to plant trees that will grow to be at least 30 feet tall at maturity. Tall trees will help offset many environmental problems, Oldar said.

Too much asphalt and pavement--and not enough grass and trees--create “heat islands” that keep out cooler temperatures, he said.

Trees also reduce air pollutants and help catch rain, reducing what cities spend on controlling storm runoff, Oldar said.

Local governments are spending less money per tree and planting smaller ones that provide fewer environmental benefits, Oldar said.

He also encourages planting a variety of trees, so if destructive insects or diseases harm one kind, the others will remain healthy.

Application deadline is Nov. 30. For information, call Oldar at (909) 782-4140 or log on https://www.ufei.calpoly.edu.