FAST FACTSFrom November 2011 through January 2012, Take Root planted 170 trees, primarily in the expanded central business district. Projects include:* Tulip, poplar, overcup oak, redbud, American fringetree and American elm trees along Riverfront Parkway near the M.L. King Boulevard intersection* Trident maple, redbud and Autumn Blaze maple along Read Avenue between Main Street and 20th Street* Redbud and laurel oak on the south side of Jefferson ParkSource: Preston Roberts, Take Root
North Chattanooga got a little cooler Wednesday as tree planting organization Take Root and volunteers from sponsor Rock/Creek placed the last of 16 shady American elms along Dallas Road in North Chattanooga.
When Take Root began planting in November 2008, its mission was to increase Chattanooga’s downtown canopy cover, which stood at 7 percent.
Now, Project Coordinator Preston Roberts said, “We have nearly reached our 15 percent goal.”
The organization has raised nearly $300,000 from private donors, neighborhood associations and the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development and planted about 1,500 trees. As it completes lingering planting projects, Take Root plans to put more emphasis on education and sustainability.