Don and Angie Dire are the recipients of the first tree planted through a $50,000 grant received by the city of Dickinson to address 2005 storm damage.
The Taylor Nursery planted three linden trees on the boulevard beside their property Thursday morning.
The grant was provided by the North Dakota Forest Service through the North Dakota Department of Transportation. The grant was matched with 20 percent from the city. The 20 percent was paid for in part with a 25 percent match by citizens.
"Dickinson and Minot are pilot programs," said City Forester Craig Armstrong.
The grant's purpose is to replace trees damaged in Dickinson during the October 2005 snowstorm. Residents who have property on city boulevards or are on public right of ways are eligible to apply for the trees, he said.
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"It's a super program," he said.
Armstrong said the city received 200 trees including maples, oak, hackberry, linden and flowering crab. Twenty-five trees are still available to qualified applicants. Application forms are available at the City Hall.
Seventeen trees on Dire's property were severely damaged by the snowstorm. Several of the trees were replaced last year.
"In 1978, my dad and I planted these trees. It was hard to cut them down," he said.
Angie Dire said the trees are being replaced for the next generation.
"We talked about it. We could have left the trees, but we wanted to beautify this area for the next generation," she said.
Armstrong said the city expects to apply for a $25,000 grant next year.
