The City of Knoxville Public Service Department and City Tree Board want to remind citizens that early March is a great time to plant new trees before warm weather hits East Tennessee.

Tree Board Chair and Certified Arborist David Vandergriff encourages taking advantage of the warming soils, available moisture and great selection of trees at area garden centers to enhance your home landscape with new trees. "This is a great time of year to plant, just remember these basics for success: Right plants, right place, always buy quality nursery plants, call 811 before you dig, don't skimp on digging the hole, use recommended planting techniques, and provide proper aftercare. Following these simple steps will assure your new trees will thrive and enhance your outdoor environment for years to come. Well-maintained trees increase your home's value 12.5 percent, and the environmental benefits increase for years to come."

The City is also wrapping up its own tree planting program and will be installing approximately 300 trees in public locations throughout the City including within parks, along greenways and streets and within City medians. The City also recently installed three new trees on Market Square.

"Trees are an important asset to the City, and just like any other asset such as a building or greenway, they require active management and maintenance", said Public Service Director David Brace. "We know that trees add real value to homes and neighborhoods and environmental value to the City as a whole, from cooler urban spaces to cleaner water."

In 2011, the City completed a comprehensive tree inventory and draft management plan process through tree experts Davey Resource Group. The plan was paid for with funds from the State Division of Forestry, the Knoxville Utility Board and the City of Knoxville. The plan outlined overall tree health and species type and highlighted recommendations for the City as a whole on improving its tree canopy through maintenance and strategic planting.

The Public Service Department has a Horticulture Division that includes a full-time tree crew responsible for maintenance and care of trees located in the city's right-of-ways, parks and green spaces.