Hamilton plans to plant 300 trees this year in public areas

In 14 months on the job, Hamilton’s new municipal arborist and utility forester has been as busy as an enthusiastic beaver.

Unlike the flat-tailed mammals, Dave Bienemann hasn’t been cutting down trees to build dams. Instead, he’s overseeing removal of many trees that interfere with Hamilton’s municipally owned electric wires to prevent power outages, especially during windy, rainy or snowy weather.

MORE: Why is an arborist cutting down trees? So Hamilton’s power stays on

He’s also overseeing the planting of hundreds of trees in the city, along streets and in other public areas, such as in the medians along Ohio 4, with new trees planned along the edges of that city entryway.

The city is also focusing on planting trees in the city’s Second Ward and other parts of the East Side, because they have the fewest trees along streets.

Aside from adding beauty, trees can save heating costs in winter and cooling costs in summer for property owners.

UPCOMING TREE SEMINARS

Want to learn how to plant and prune trees in an urban area? There’s a local presentation for that. And there’s another one about signs and symptoms of insects and disease in local landscape trees. Here are details:

Planting & Pruning Trees: Offered by Cindy Meyer of the Butler County Ohio State University Extension office and David Bienemann, Hamilton's municipal arborist. 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 8, at the Butler County OSU Extension Conference Room A-B, 1802 Princeton Road, Hamilton. For more info, call 513-785-7285 or email dave.bienemann@hamilton-oh.gov

Signs & Symptoms of Insects and Disease: Featuring Bienemann and a to-be-determined guest speaker. 9-to 11 a.m. April 26 at the Butler County OSU Extension Conference Room A-B, 1802 Princeton Road, Hamilton. For more info, call 513-785-7285 or email dave.bienemann@hamilton-oh.gov

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HAMILTON TREE-PLANTING GROWTH

The number of trees planted by Hamilton government entities since 2004:

2004: 82

2005: 100

2006: 125

2007: 135

2008: 130

2009: 130

2010: 135

2011: 91

2012: 108