THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, September 25, 1994 TAG: 9409230212
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Editorial
LENGTH: Short : 41 lines
Although Portsmouth has been given a ``Tree City'' designation by the national Arbor Day organization for 15 years, that does not mean the city has enough trees.
The high cost of trees, averaging about $100 apiece for even the most common varieties, always has been a problem when the city talks replacement of trees cut down in older neighborhoods.
Throughout older sections, especially in historic districts, trees have disappeared faster than they have been replanted. In Port Norfolk, 12 trees cut down included sycamores, ginkgoes and tulip trees, but they were not replaced in kind.
The old-fashioned trees give the historic neighborhoods character. Variety that makes a street interesting and trees that bloom add even more to the streets.
The city needs to look at a suggestion that it establish a tree farm on city-owned land in PortCentre or elsewhere for public school vocational students.
As Port Norfolk Civic League president Madeline Morris Grimes told City Council recently, ``We could buy the trees from ourselves and sell those we don't need to other cities.''
In addition, a local tree farm could grow varieties that have been popular in Portsmouth for two centuries, enabling the city to replace old trees with the same variety.
The idea bears more thought. Citizens who want trees in Portsmouth's future should urge the city to follow through with a project that not only would save money and beautify the city. It also would provide work experience and perhaps future jobs for students in the public schools. by CNB