The City of Dearborn pursued and was awarded a DTE Energy Foundation Tree Planting Grant, which has provided 28 new trees to the Dix-Vernor corridor in the southeastern section of the city.

The $3,000 grant will enhance an area that has the capacity for more trees.

“The purpose of the grant is to increase the number of properly planted, established and maintained trees within the service territory of DTE Energy,” said Jeff Polkowski from City Planning.

The grant will also coincide with planned street furniture improvements designated for that area, scheduled for installation in spring 2018.

The tree planting program is sponsored by the DTE Energy Foundation, in partnership with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and ReLeaf Michigan.

High-quality trees were rooted earlier this month as enhancements for a green space surrounding a City-owned parking lot. All trees must have been planted on public land or land open to the public.

“This reforestation initiative will provide a meaningful initial effort for the community’s long-term health and success to stimulate a local sense of place and coincide with business growth in the area,” said Polkowski.

 Trees were also planted in public rights-of-way along Dix Avenue and Wyoming Avenue in areas where there is a lack of urban street trees.

A requirement of the grant states that there must also be a local $3,000 match, which will come from ITC Transmission, which removed trees in Dearborn in 2016 for maintenance.

The DTE Energy Foundation grant is an annual grant, and Polkowski says the City plans to apply next year again.

“The City has just been designated a Tree City USA for the 29th straight year,’ said Polkowski.  “This is an achievement that is a source of community pride for our citizens.”

For more information, contact Polkowski in City Planning at 313-943-2170.