Project aims to return trees to Poland streets

It is still an option to dedicate a tree to a loved one.

By ALISON KEMP

VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER

POLAND — Trees are being planted as part of a beautification project to return the main streets of Poland to their glory before U.S. Route 224 was widened.

“There used to be stately trees, but when the road was widened, the trees were cut down. We’re trying to remedy that,” said Richard Ames, Poland Village zoning administrator.

The remedy is trees that will be planted in 25-foot intervals at Poland’s main intersection of Route 224 and state Route 170, extending out for a block or two. The trees will be planted to continue the tree lines that are currently in place.

Looking to future

Ames hopes that in 25 years, the trees will resemble the way he remembers Poland looking.

But at $375 a tree, this will take some time.

Only eight trees were purchased by the village this year because the project’s budget was cut in half from $6,000 to $3,000, Ames said. These eight will be planted as soon as the landscapers have time, Ames said.

Community members have donated money toward trees, as has Town One Streetscapes.

The trees

“For what we raise as Streetscapes, [someone] is willing to match the donation,” Streetscapes President Larry Warren said.

Warren said when Streetscapes was raising money for trees that were planted five or six years ago, many were memorials.

“It is still an option to dedicate a tree to a loved one,” Warren said. Plaques will be placed at the bases of the trees.

Warren has read a lot of information about trees beautifying communities, and he hopes these trees will do the same for Poland.

The trees, all which are about 3 to 31⁄2 inches in diameter, vary in type, with plans for them to mainly be ash or maple.

Ames wants to prevent the possibility of a lot of trees dying from disease. If all the trees are not the same, then all won’t be lost if some become sickly. Another characteristic Ames is looking for in the trees is the ability to withstand cold weather and salt.