Trees

The Eastern Redbuds burst into bloom before most trees have leaves. The ornamental is native to Kentucky, and one of the earliest trees to flower. That's one reason the Southern and Eastern Kentucky Tourism Development Association has gone on a campaign to plant Redbuds along the scenic byway, the Cumberland Cultural Highway. The highway starts in Stanford, on Ky. 78, or in Danville on U.S. 127. It leads travelers south on U.S. 127 through Hustonville, Liberty and Dunnville before turning at Russell Springs onto Ky. 80. The state hopes the scenic landscape, with early leaves and purple flowering trees, will attract tourists to the area earlier than the typical tourism season, which begins in May. Redbuds, Cercis canadensis, are oddly named because the flowers are a pinkish-purple and uncommon in Canada, as its Latin name suggests.

Free flowering trees available Ten free flowering trees will be given to each person who joins the National Arbor Day Foundation during January. The trees, two white flowering dogwoods, two crabapples, two Washington Hawthorns, two American redbuds and two goldenraintrees. The trees will be shipped postpaid at the right time for planting between Feb. 1 and May 31 with planting instructions. To become a member of the foundation, sent $10 to Ten Free Flowering Trees, National Arbor Day Foundation, 100 Arbor Ave., Nebraska City, Neb. 64810, by Jan. 31 or go online to arborday.

December roared in like a lion this morning with temperatures dropping and high winds that downed trees, disrupted utility service and blocked roads. However, no major damage was reported. The wind advisory remains in effect until 4 p.m. today with gusts up to 45 mph, according to the National Weather Service. The wind will dwindle to 5 to 15 mph tonight, and temperatures will fall into the lower 20s. County road departments were out earlier today clearing downed trees. Several trees were down in the Parksville, Mocks Creek and Wells Landing areas, said Dennis Curtsinger, Boyle County road department spokesman.

Department of highways personnel plan to conduct the following maintenance activities in Lincoln County for the week of March 3-7: Monday, March 3: â?¢Clean tile on KY 1247 at MP 11-12 â?¢Cut trees and brush on KY 1770 at MP 0-9 Tuesday, March 4: â?¢Clean tile on US 27 at MP 12-13 â?¢Cut trees and brush on KY 1770 at MP 0-9 Wednesday, March 5: â?¢Cut trees on KY 643 at MP 5-6 â?¢Litter pickup on US 150 at MP 0-5 Thursday, March 6: â?

Inter-County Energy plans to distribute 50 pine seedlings to schools in the six districts where it provides electric power. "Trees can help conserve energy and boost the environment," said Dan Hitchcock, manager of customer services at the co-op. "When the trees are planted close to homes and buildings, they provide shade, which cuts down on the amount of energy needed for cooling in the summer," Hitchcock said. "Plus, trees capture and store carbon dioxide, which helps to reduce carbon impact.

Danville Police Department reported trees down in the area of West Walnut Street this morning, and various utility and electrical wires were down on Third Street. In Lincoln County, the 911 center received calls that cable wires and telephone lines were down, but no other damage was reported. Lancaster dispatch center said several trees were down in the area of Fisher Ford Road, just before reaching the Boyle County line. Casey County apparently escaped the worst of the thunderstorms and had little damage Tuesday night, said Carlos Wesley at WKDO Radio.

Christmas Day is over, but that doesn't mean all gift-giving has come to a halt. Take, for example, the cut trees, wreaths and garlands used to decorate homes during the holidays. Greenery that is not sold can, and does, become presents of sorts for both shut-ins and gardeners. "We try to do as good a job as possible estimating the number of trees and other Christmas greenery and the poinsettias we plan to sell each Christmas season," said a manager at King's Nursery and Garden Center on Nicholasville Road in Lexington, which has a lot of customers from Boyle and other area counties.

Members of the Winchester Kiwanis Club recently planted three trees at the Kiwanis Playground at the Bluegrass Community and Technical College's day care center. From left are Dr. Bill Snowden, Dana Ladd, Roger Davis, Danny Castle, Roberta Skinner, Roy Turley, Wanda Pinkston, club president Allison Roberts and Paul Atchison. Doyle's Lawn Landscaping dug the holes, with one tree each provided by Doyle, Al's Garden Center and William Hatton Jr. Trees and Shrubbery. Kiwanians also paid to develop the playground.

HARRODSBURG - The street leading into Harrodsburg's new Wal-Mart on U.S. 127 will be narrowed so lights and trees around the Christian bookstore can remain. Greater Harrodsburg/Mercer County Planning & Zoning Commission approved the proposal Monday so the trees and lights for Words of Life Christian Bookstore won't have to be removed. They were inadvertently placed on the right-of-way on Joseph Drive. A 24,000-square-foot strip mall with up to nine shops is planned for land next to the new Wal-Mart.

Two students, Stan Chen and Vu Van, from the Cultural Interchange Program at George Rogers Clark High School, planted trees at Bluegrass Community and Technical College last week as part of the Global Bluegrass Reforest Green Heart Project. In the project, interchange students plant three trees for their community, school and host family to promote global environmental protection efforts. Attending the planting were, from left, Dr. Lina Fong, executive director for the Center of Cultural Interchange; City Manager Ken Kerns; Deborah Soper, Chen's host mother; Chen, from Taiwan; Shanda Cecil from the Strodes Creek Conservancy and Van, from Vietnam.