By Myrna Trauntvein
Times-News Correspondent
Nephi City residents will plant 3,200 new trees as part
of a Millennial Tree project during this spring, the spring
of 2000.
Free shade trees will be available to residents of
Nephi as part of the project sponsored by Nephi City.
"In recent years, the LDS church as been especially
involved in giving service to the community," said Phil
Baker, city parks and cemeteries superintendent. "We
appreciate the many hours that have been donated and the
projects of beautification that have been completed, and we
look forward to that continued relationship in the
future."
He said that Pastor Keith South and his congregation
were also participating in the tree-planting activity and
would receive free trees from the city for planting.
In addition, said Baker, 200 trees have been reserved
for those who are not LDS and are not participating through
their local religious congregations. Those trees will be
kept at city hall and will be distributed by Baker.
"The trees cost $2,000, which is a good price, and
which has further significance for the Millennium," said
Baker.
Funding for the project, he said, came from the city
electric department and was money that was earmarked for
beautification projects.
"We intend to distribute the trees through local
churches," said Baker. "We have allocated 300 trees per LDS
ward in Nephi. As a token of our appreciation for community
service we are offering 13 varieties for planting. We think
there should be approximately two trees per household in
each ward."
Some residents may have their landscaping done, he
said. In those cases the trees could go to some other
person. "Someone, for example, might want three trees."
He said the trees had been ordered as bare root stock
which means that they must be planted quickly after they are
received. The trees may be planted anywhere the recipients
choose&emdash;on private or city property.
"The trees will arrive in April," said Baker. "They
range in mature size from small ornamental to large shade
trees."
Most of the trees have smaller caliber trunks but all
are three-feet to five-feet tall.
Adding this number of trees to the ones city crews are
planting, said Baker, will assure that the city will have
4,000 new trees.
"This planting project represents a lot of work," said
Chad Brough, mayor. "The trees will be a great addition to
the community for many years to come. We want people to look
back at this project and say: 'I planted that tree at the
turn of the century.'"
"We are asking the wards to consider ways to make a
plan to insure that everyone in the ward boundaries, who
desires, has the opportunity to receive trees," said
Baker.
For this reason, ward leadership is being asked to
make a plan for the sign-up and distribution of the trees.
Possible suggestions, he said, are that the young men and
young ladies of each ward use the distribution as a service
project.
"This could be used toward a Young Women Personal
Progress award, Eagle Scout Project, Elders Quorum Project,
or a 150-hour ward service project," said Baker.
Baker has also prepared a sheet listing the varieties
of trees available and another sheet telling residents how
to care for the trees they are given once they are
planted.
Another information sheet is being prepared which will
tell residents which tree will do best in a certain
environment.
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