ELIZABETH CITY, N.C.
A lone willow oak planted by the Harney Street tennis courts is just the beginning for Elizabeth City's new Urban Forestry Commission.
After receiving a Tree City USA designation by the Arbor Day Foundation earlier this year, the volunteer commission plans to plant more trees and ensure proper planting, pruning and removal of trees on city property.
Next spring, using a $2,500 state grant matched by local money, the group will conduct an inventory of all trees on city property, said Debbie Sauls, chairwoman of the commission and an arborist. The city declared the second Friday in October as its Arbor Day, since fall is the best tree-planting season here.
Meanwhile, the commission will get training in how to manage the urban forest ordinance passed by the City Council late last year.
"Because our commission is so new, we want to make sure we get this stuff right," said Sauls. "We're taking baby steps."
Trees are naturally plentiful in Elizabeth City, but there are issues, Sauls said.
The idea to create an urban forest commission had germinated for years, but when a row of lush crape myrtle trees were cut down near the old Wal mart, the effort flourished.
"That got a lot of attention," Sauls said. "They were beautiful trees."
Under the urban forest ordinance, rules apply only to public property and are generally voluntary. But some parts will be enforced, such as the rule against lopping off the tops of trees.
"It's the worst thing you can do to a tree and it's a common occurrence," she said.
Violators of the ordinance could be fined up to $500.
Eventually, the commission will set up a Web site with tips and tree species that grow well here.
Jeff Hampton, (252) 338-0159, jeff.hampton@pilotonline.com
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