Third Ward Councilman Shaun Heenan suggested an idea for a replacement tree program at the Department of Public Works Committee meeting. The program, as he put forth in conversation, would cost approximately $5,000 for the first year for larger trees and then $2,000 the following year for smaller saplings. This would hopefully lead to a third year of self-sufficiency.

“My initial thought is Point Gratiot, there are 300 trees throughout the city that are dead or dying. The trees there especially are just getting old,” Heenan said. “The hope is we could start a tree farm where we could be self-sustaining and we wouldn’t have to purchase trees anymore.”

Revitalize Dunkirk members Steve and Mary Rees applauded the idea and offered a few recommendations of their own.

“In the past I obtained a list of street trees that are appropriate for cities that have limited clearance because of power lines and other obstructions,” Steve Rees stated. “I would however advise against the little whips from Soil and Water Conservation to start with because the survival rate is not that good. I think at least an inch to an inch-and-half in diameter would be good and taking a look at the species we’re getting as well.”

Rees went on to mention that there are a number of grant programs for trees that the city could look into.