Highland branches out with new tree plan, with 100 new trees to be planted this year

"I think it’s a good ordinance," said Public Works Director John Bach, who co-authored the plan with former Town Manager Richard Underkofler.

The plan is to carry out existing laws that regulate the trees found on residential parkways and other town-owned park areas, board members said.

The plan is already underway with the removal of 349 diseased ash trees last year, Underkofler said, adding that another 79 are slated for removal.

In that regard, contractor bids are out for tree care and maintenance, Underkofler said, with 14 contractors receiving invitations to bid for their services.

In addition, the town has received a $10,000 grant from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources to plant 100 trees this year, Underkofler said.

"We'll have a spring planting and a fall planting," he said.

The locations for the new trees will be determined later, but many of them will replace the trees already removed, Underkofler said.

The exact locations should be known by the next council meeting, he noted.

The town has a list that stipulates species to avoid and species appropriate for planting in various areas, such as parkways and parkland.

The trees are also broken down by sizes of small, medium and large.

The grant requires price quotes from at least three nurseries, Underkofler said.