NORWICH – Visitors to Norwich always comment on the city’s tree-lined streets, says Rebecca Hargrave of the Norwich Tree Committee. But in her opinion, there is always room for more.

Not only are there numerous environmental reasons for planting more trees within the city limits, Hargrave explained, but they are also visually appealing, can raise property values and add to the sense of community.

“We have such a great small town, and having a good urban forest can improve on that,” she said. “Trees make a community a better place to be.”

Now, thanks to a grant from the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation’s Community Urban Forestry Program, Hargrave and her committee are getting their wish.

“We have funding to plant around 30 trees,” Hargrave reported. To determine where the trees will be planted, the committee has developed a tree planting request form for city residents. The forms can be picked up at City Hall, One City Plaza in Norwich.

While any resident can fill out an application, preference will be given to those who live along streets which have been acknowledged as “tree deprived.” They are: Guernsey, West Main, Henry, Gold, Plymouth, Park, Birdsall, Burr, Division, Hickock, Eaton, Hillview and Rexford. All others will be put into a lottery.

To qualify, properties must meet several requirements. According to the application, they must have a tree lawn without a current tree which is at least four feet wide by four feet long and at least 15 feet from any intersection and 10 feet from any hydrants, light poles and signs. The resident must also be willing to care for the tree once it is planted.