The “10,000 Up” initiative is putting in motion Detroit’s Forestry division to plant 10,000 trees across the city. The new plantings will replace the more than 10,000 trees that have fallen “victim to wind storms, the emerald ash borer, disease or old age.”
According to the city of Detroit, more than 900 trees have already been planted.
The “10,000 Up” initiative, which is part of Mayor Mike Duggan’s 10 point neighborhood plan, got underway earlier this fall and already has planted more than 900 trees. The city will spend approximately $3 million per year for each of the next three years to complete the initiative.
“Detroit used to be known as a city of trees, but we have lost so many over the past several decades to various causes,” said General Services Department Director, Brad Dick. “We’ve been putting a lot of energy into removing the dangerous dead trees and felt it was time to get back to planting new trees because they add so much to the community and the environment.”
The city of Detroit will spend about $3 million per year for the next three years to make this happen.
Residents, neighborhood groups and block club associations will have input, as well. They will be able to notify the Forestry department where they would like the trees to be planted when a survey comes out where inspectors can collect addresses and verify if the areas mentioned by residents are viable enough to plant a tree.
Species of trees being planted will vary based on availability, but the city expects them to have a lifespan between 40 and 100 years.