Lexington Gets Free Trees
The City of Lexington has received and planted 10 trees through the Trees for Nebraska Towns Initiative, an effort of PlantNebraska (formerly the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum) and the Nebraska Forest Service. The trees support the City’s ongoing work to improve public recreation spaces while strengthening Lexington’s community forest.
Nine trees were planted outside the outfield fence along the west and southwest perimeter of the Legion Baseball field at the Optimist Recreation Complex. The trees are spaced approximately 30-40 feet apart and positioned to provide long-term shade while fitting the available space and avoiding utilities, drainage, and other site constraints. A tenth tree was planted at the entrance of the Lexington Racquet Center to replace a tree lost during a summer storm.
The planting includes 10 different species: Brandywine maple, yellowwood, white oak, Princeton elm, swamp white oak, Triumph elm, chinkapin oak, bur oak, Jeronimus cottonwood, and an improved Canada Red chokecherry. Using a diverse mix of trees reduces the risk that insects, disease, or extreme weather will affect a large portion of the City’s tree canopy at once. As they mature, the trees will add shade, beauty, and comfort for athletes, spectators, and other visitors to these facilities.
Community trees offer benefits beyond shade and appearance, including improved health and comfort, energy savings, and broader social, economic, and environmental benefits. Nebraska communities have lost more trees than they have planted in recent decades because of extreme weather, insects, disease, and limited species diversity. Emerald ash borer is the latest major challenge contributing to this decline.
The Trees for Nebraska Towns program provides high-quality trees for community projects, celebrations, and educational events that promote trees and fall planting. Its goals include planting more trees, increasing appreciation for the value of community forests, encouraging species diversity, and supporting high-impact projects in Nebraska communities.
PlantNebraska’s Trees for Nebraska Towns Initiative is funded by the Nebraska Environmental Trust and the USDA Forest Service through grants received by Plantebraska and the Nebraska Forest Service.
