Trees in Downtown Murfreesboro Area to be Replaced

Feb 14, 2014 at 09:53 am by bryan


Phase III of the Street Tree Replacement Project to replace street trees in the downtown historic business district will begin late February or early March, weather permitting.

Dead and dying trees will be removed from landscape islands within the historic downtown area in anticipation of the new replacements.  During this phase tree stumps will be removed and ‘Bosque’ Elms will be planted.  A landscape contractor has been hired to carry out the project and this third phase should be completed within 2 months at a cost of approximately $3,200.00.   As the weather warms up, several ‘Natchez’ Crape Myrtles, a flowering ornamental tree, will be installed as part of Phase lV.

ADVERTISEMENT

During Phase I, the ‘Bosque’ Elm was chosen as the canopy tree to replace the ‘Halka’ Honey Locust.  This tree grows into an upright oval form and unlike the Honey Locust it has very little leaf or seed pod litter.  Urban Environmental Department Director Cynthia Holloway stated, “The ‘Bosque’ Elm has exhibited incredible heat and drought tolerance and does very well as a street tree in narrow or restricted planting areas. My favorite feature is its puzzle-like exfoliating bark for year round interest.  It’s also resistant to several of the diseases that are affecting the existing Honey Locust trees.”

As time goes on and more trees die the City will continue this replanting process in the downtown historic business district. 

Tree Bank monies are used to fund the project.  This fund is made up of donations and landscape bond forfeitures used to replace trees and shrubs on public properties.

Source

Alan Bozeman, Communications Director - Murfreesboro

Sections: News