3,000 fruit trees planned to help clean environment

"Clean, Green Boulder City" is about to get greener.

The Boulder City Council Tuesday night unanimously approved an agreement with the state Division of Forestry for it to grow a variety of 3,000 fruit trees for the city's urban forest program.

A city program designed to improve air quality by planting 15,000, 15-gallon trees within the next seven years was approved last year.

City Manager John Sullard told the council the state approached the city about contracting for the fruit trees "at a fairly decent rate." He did not disclose that rate and could not be reached for comment this morning.

The trees will be apple, plum, cherry, peach and pear, which the state will grow until they reach the 15-gallon size.

The city will receive $100 per tree from the Clark County Health District for improving air quality. By saving money on each tree it orders from the state, the city can use those dollars toward irrigation and other expenses the trees will incur.

Another advantage the Forestry Division has is that it can hold trees over, a task that would be difficult for local nurseries, Sullard said.

While 12,000 of the trees are slated for public property, 3,000 are available to residents who attend a workshop to learn how to plant and care for their tree.

"I think this whole program is outstanding as far as the community is concerned," Councilman Bill Smith said.

Councilman Robert Kenneston said El Dorado Energy is funding the $1.5 million project as part of an emission-reduction program that would enable its planned gas-fired power plant in Eldorado Valley to meet environmental regulations.

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