Ewing village receives tree grant

The Village of Ewing will receive 10 trees for the park project, after receiving a grant from the Ten Free Trees program, an effort of the Nebraska Forest Service and the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum.

Village officials will plant trees Sunday, Oct. 2, at 2 p.m. Volunteer help is required to fulfill grant obligations. Village officials said equipment will be available to dig holes, so planting should go quickly. For more information, contact the Ewing village office at 402-626-7718.

The village’s ongoing project replaces old trees that are dying, adds shade trees and beautifies the park.

Despite providing a wide range of social, economic and environmental benefits, most Nebraska community forests have been in steady and sometimes dramatic decline, according to the Nebraska Forest Service. Many challenges contribute, including extreme weather, insects, disease and lack of diversity. The emerald ash borer is the latest challenge added to the list.

In an effort to stop the decline and increase community forest resilience, the free trees program grants up to 10 high-quality trees for tree-related educational events and community celebrations promoting trees and fall planting.

In addition to simply planting more trees, program goals include increasing appreciation and awareness of the value of community forests in Nebraska. Special emphasis is placed on species diversity and higher impact projects, especially street tree planting and projects in neighborhoods of highest need.

Ten Free Trees is supported by the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum’s Trees for Nebraska Towns Initiative funded by the Nebraska Environmental Trust and a U.S. Forest Service Landscape Scale Restoration grant received by the Nebraska Forest Service.