Sikeston starts tree inventory

SIKESTON, Mo. -- To help the Sikeston Park Division with budgeting and future planting, a tree inventory is underway in all 14 of the city's parks.

"We lost over 200 trees in the park system as a result of the ice storm," said Sikeston park director Jiggs Moore. "The inventory will not only tell us the number and varieties of trees we have, it will also give us an assessment of the condition of trees."

Moore said the assessment is important for budgeting purposes when allocating funds for tree pruning and removal.

"Also, with a narrower focus, the inventory will give us an idea of our ash tree population," Moore explained, "and the potential impact of emerald ash borer."

The inventory is made possible through a grant program through the Missouri Department of Conservation, Tree Resource Improvement and Maintenance, or TRIM. TRIM provides local governmental agencies, school systems and not-for-profit organizations financial assistance for the management, improvement or conservation of trees. Eligible projects include tree inventories, plan development and educational activities centered on trees, as well as tree pruning, removal and planting.

Moore said he applied for the TRIM grant for a tree inventory of the city's park system in the wake of the 2009 ice storm to get an accurate count, location and identification of the varieties of trees in Sikeston's parks. Sikeston was approved by the Missouri Department of Conservation for a 60 percent match of a $5,438 project, or $3,263. The city's share of the project is $1,773.

A tree inventory is a requirement for communities seeking Tree City USA status. The inventory will satisfy one of four requirements should Sikeston decide to pursue the Tree City designation. Cape Girardeau and Dexter are Tree City communities.

Sikeston's tree inventory will be completed by May 1, according to Moore.