Money doesn’t grow on trees, but new trees here can be grown with cash donations made to an account opened last week at the La Conner branch of WaFd Bank.
Members of the Town’s Parks Commission opened the account immediately after their April 9 meeting at Maple Hall, during which they outlined goals for the non-profit A Tree on Morris Street campaign.
While the initial aim of the project is to install new trees along Morris Street, which serves as the main thoroughfare for those entering La Conner, plantings can also take place elsewhere in town.
“There are other locations that need trees,” commissioner Mike Bucy said. “This is a mechanism to help us plant trees. It’s a cool thing.”
The tree planting effort is in keeping with La Conner’s embrace of an eco-friendly, environmentally conscious spirit.
Town officials, who previously sought but failed to secure state grant funding for tree planting here, have repeatedly cited the benefits of strategically increasing the number of trees in La Conner. Those include providing shade, beauty, clean air, inviting views, habitat for wildlife, and a vital carbon sink.
Bucy said factors assuring that newly installed trees are long-lived have been researched.
“We’ve learned,” he said, “that with our soil conditions and being so close to the salt water, there’s a certain way to plant trees that will help them last longer, that will contribute to the longevity of each tree.”
Bucy estimated a cost of about $1,000 per tree.
Bill Reynolds: bill@laconnercommunitynews.org. Bill is a general assignment reporter who covers Town government, schools, and spot news.
