Tree planting celebrated

SALEM -- Salem's Arbor Day as proclaimed by Mayor Larry DeJane will be celebrated with a planting of a Musashio zelkova tree at 4 p.m. today.
The tree will be planted in front of Gillis Studios, a new jewelry store at 176 S. Broadway Ave.
David Navoyosky, chairman of Salem Shade Tree Commission, said it will replace the same type of tree that had been planted in front of the store.
The planting will also emphasize how the tree will help beautify the area and help local businesses.
Two more of the same trees will be planted on the other side of South Broadway. The new trees replace ones that were planted during the 1980s during the city's revitalization project.
Short life
Navoyosky said the average life of a downtown tree is about seven years because of car emissions, vandalism and salt use in winter.
Davey Tree Expert Co. will also begin to plant 24 trees on curb lawns throughout the city at a cost of $6,116. The commission has oversight on trees planted along city streets.
The commission received $20,000 for trees in 2005 from the Salem Community Foundation, and another $20,000 from the foundation this year.
The remaining funds for this year will pay for another round of free tree plantings in the fall.
People can request a tree, but the commission picks the type of tree.
Trees can't be too high, which avoids problems with electric lines. They must also stand up to winter road salt.
The new plantings will be in Wards 1, 3 and 4. Ward 2, the city's older industrial area, has narrow curb lawns that limit plantings.
Navoyosky said the commission is filling up the available sites for trees in the community.
People interested in a tree may call the mayor's office at (330) 332-4241, ext. 2.