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The City of Warren is having trouble finding places to plant street trees.
"We really have trouble getting people that want a tree," Department of Public Works Director Mike Holtz told the Street Landscape Committee on Tuesday. "It's a shame but it's a free tree."
"This spring was particularly bad," City Arborist Joe Reinke said. He told the committee that he'll typically get five to 10 calls per year from people interested in having trees placed at their property. This year? Just one call was received.
District Forester Cecile Stelter highlighted the improvement trees bring to home values, livability, impacts on crime rates and reduced pollution.
"(We) really push to plant the right tree at the right place so the homeowner doesn't have adverse impacts," Reinke said, on utilities and sidewalks.
Reinke told the committee that the spring planting will include about 20 street trees and five to 10 located in city parks.
He said a state grant for 20 trees this spring fell through due to labor shortages and extenuating circumstances at the nursery, resulting in a "little bit smaller planting list" this spring.
Another tree going in will be the 2022 Arbor Day tree, an American Elm to be placed in front of the WCCBI building on Market Street.
An Arbor Day event is in the works for April 29.
Holtz told the committee the city met with officials with Warren General Hospital about the healing garden proposal.
"They were very supportive of it," he said.
Reinke said work would start on the water feature next week.
Plantings will include perennials from the gardens of committee members Josie Gerarde and Mary Conarro.
Donations to that planting effort can be made through the end of the month.