By JEFF BENZIGER
Editor of the
Ceres (Calif.) Courier
Fifty trees will be given away and planted in Ceres now that the original Ceres Garden Club target area for plantings has been expanded.
The trees are being made available as part of the California Initiative to Reduce Carbon and Limit Emissions (CIRCLE) program through a grant from CalFire. The planting will be done by the California Urban Forests Council (CaUFC) and West Coast Arborists.
The grant from CalFire originally offered 150 free red maple trees to residents living between Hatch Road to the north and Whitmore Avenue to the south, Mitchell Road to the east and Central Avenue to the west. Now any Ceres resident is eligible to receive a free tree thanks to a generous grant provided by local resident, and Ceres Garden Club member, arborist Daniel Bote, who owns of Central Valley Trees and Landscape Services, Inc. (CVTL). The tree supply is limited to the first 50 requests. The tree selection will be made by Central Valley Trees & Landscape Services, Inc.
The California Urban Forests Council (CaUFC) and West Coast Arborists are planting street trees throughout California through a grant from CalFire to help improve air quality. The city of Ceres has partnered with the Ceres Garden Club on distribution of 150 trees.
Ceres residents are invited to volunteer to assisting West Coast Arborists to plant 150 red maple trees on Saturday, Oct 22. The group will meet at 9 a.m. in Smyrna Park. It is hoped that 100 volunteers show up.
Ceres Garden Club President Berni Hendrix said she is is excited about the project which not only will improve air quality but will increase property values and curb appeal but improve Ceres' neighborhood aesthetics.
"Trees represent the beauty of life. We hope folks will come out and help us plant on October 22. Those volunteers that are able will plant the trees with a trained arborist, it's a great event for Ceres."
Those interested in signing up to receive a tree or volunteering to help plant trees is urged to contact Ceres Garden Club member Channce Condit at 622-7485.
