HOULTON, Maine —The town has recently applied for an environmental grant that could be essential for the town’s downtown tree replacement program.
The Canopy Grant, as it’s known, will be awarded in the amount of up to $8,000 and requires a 50/50 match, which can be in-kind donations and services.
Houlton has always been recognized for its well-known Market Square that is home to many local businesses and residents. Houlton’s historic business district is unique because it is one of the few towns in the area that has a Market Square. It is one that locals and tourists alike can enjoy, thanks to the work the town has put in over the years.
The town has been focused on maintaining a pristine Market Square for over 30 years. In 1979, a plan for downtown Houlton was completed by the College of Environmental Science and Forestry. The study provided a plan for revitalizing the downtown area, which includes Market Square and Main Street, where the trees currently grow. It noted that there was a lack of vegetation and aesthetic contributions that make a successful downtown.
Other studies show that trees create a more pleasant walking environment, improved business, increased security, and convert streets, parking and walls into a more aesthetically pleasing environment.
The request for the Canopy Grant is coming at an ideal time as the trees currently inhabiting the downtown area are growing old. It has been nearly three decades since the original trees were planted downtown and the years are beginning to show.
“The trees that are downtown are well over 20 years old, and many of them are not in good standing. Their root systems are compromised because of things like salt from the streets,” said Lori Weston, who is the community/economic development director for Houlton.
“The trees are reaching out to the sun, so their branches are becoming considerably bent. Because of that, we’ve had branches falling and damaging cars and really just causing problems for everyone,” she added.
The grant will play a vital role in the rejuvenation of the downtown area, without causing the area to lose its classic atmosphere. The town certainly doesn’t want to disrupt the downtown environment that has taken decades to establish by simply cutting down branches, or entire trees.
“This is a planting grant we’re looking at. It will help us replace a majority of the trees,” said Weston. “We’ve been doing research on what is a good Northern tree, what grows well with road salt and really just what will grow well in that type of urban area.”
The grant will not simply aid in keeping the downtown area aesthetically appealing, but the new trees would benefit the area in more practical ways also.
“We already know that trees significantly help moderate the temperature in the downtown area. They also make the asphalt stronger and help it to last longer, and then there are obviously the aesthetic qualities of the trees that will help to bring more people and business into the community,” said Weston.
Businesses on treescaped streets, according to studies, show a 20 percent higher income which is often the essential edge needed for Main Street store success. There are more than 40 businesses in the downtown area that depend on the income derived from customers who consistently shop at these local businesses.
“It really plays a huge part in the growth of a downtown area. How it looks and what you’re trying to achieve with a certain look. We’ve discussed not only planting trees, but also adding some color, which the downtown area is currently lacking” said Weston.
According to Houlton’s economic development director the Canopy Grant will not only benefit the town’s Market Square, but the entire community.
“Our big goal is to get the funding to remove and re-plant trees. I know a lot of people are frightened that we’ll remove them and not replace them, but the intention is to replace them and not ever to just take every tree. There are a few trees that are still good and we hope to be able to save those” Weston said.
If Houlton was to receive the Canopy Grant the town will already have a timeline projected for the tree replacement process. The timeline currently begins in January with the ordering of the replacement trees. The cutting and stump removal of the current trees will hopefully be achieved by May, while the ground preparation and new tree planting will be under way by June.
