TREES ARE GETTING CITY, COUNTY ATTENTION

Even though the autumn foliage is beginning to fade now, there are still bright splashes of leafy color to be found in the trees and shrubs in our area.

Situated as it is between two massive forest areas -- the Missouri Ozarks to the west and the Shawnee National Forest that covers much of Southern Illinois to the east --- Cape Girardeau has its share of trees. This urban forest will get more attention in the future with the formation recently of the city's first tree board.

This group, with representatives from the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, the Public Works Department and the general public, will oversee trees in parks and other public spaces, including the parkways between streets and sidewalks.

The long-term goal is beautification, and the tree board's aim is to use guidelines in such a way that trees will become even more of a community asset.

Along the way, the city will become eligible for Missouri Department of Conservation grants that will help finance future tree planting.

The tree board will only be concerned about trees on public property, not trees planted in yards and other privately owned areas.

There are plenty of garden centers and nurseries in Cape Girardeau to provide expert help to homeowners seeking advice for planting and maintenance of shade and ornamental trees. The landscaping possibilities are virtually endless, and individual tastes and prudent growing practices will dictate which trees wind up in someone's yard.

But trees along city streets are an integral part of the community's neighborhoods. A good working relationship between the tree board and property owners could go a long way in reaching the city's overall goal of an urban forest that promotes pride and beauty.

Another development regarding trees also promises to produce benefits years from now. Cape Girardeau County's plans for an arboretum at North County Park got a boost with a $5,000 grant from the Department of Conservation. The trees, as previously announced, will be planted along a mile-long trail that has just been completed. Originally, planting the trees was expected to be a long-term project relying on private donations. With the conservation grant, not only will the planting timetable be speeded up, larger trees will be purchased. Donations will still be needed to complete the overall project.

According to chamber of commerce officials who helped in the development of the city's tree board, the big payoff is likely to come 20 to 40 years from now. In the meantime, the city will be dealing with problem trees and other tree-related needs.