Lincolnshire's new tree program to start in the spring

Starting next spring, select Lincolnshire homeowners can get free trees from the village.

Trustees this week agreed to launch a private-property tree bank program. Homeowners must apply to participate, meet certain requirements and promise to take specific steps to care for the trees.

The trees could cost the village $250 to $300 each, officials have said. The program will be funded through its tree bank, an account financed by developers and homeowners who remove trees elsewhere in town.

Lincolnshire already uses money from the tree bank to plant trees on public parkways in front of homes and in local parks.

Under the proposed rules, applicants could get up to three trees during a five-year period, and typically not more than one a year.

Residents would have to qualify for the new program. For example, priority consideration would be given to properties that are treeless, already have well-maintained landscaping or meet other criteria.

Additionally, property owners must promise to regularly water the trees, protect them with natural mulch, prune them and make the trees available for village inspection.