Downriver Today

The City of Detroit’s General Services Department has announced that they are more than halfway to their goal of planting 10,000 trees to augment the community, with 5,500 trees planted since the program was established in 2017.

“Our goal in planting trees is to make sure that residents are engaged throughout the process, we want to use this as an opportunity to educate people about how important trees are for the community”, said Angel Squalls, Associate Forester, General Services Department. “Trees are not only beautiful but they provide so many benefits for the environment.”

According to a news release by the city, the planting of 10,000 trees will provide “tree equity” to make sure all residents can enjoy their numerous benefits.

“The poem Trees by Joyce Kilmer so aptly captures how I feel about nature’s splendor. Trees harbor life and they beautify and protect the environment. I applaud the administration’s ambitious goal to plant 10,000 trees in our city," said Latisha Johnson, council member for District 4. “I encourage District 4 residents to take advantage of this fantastic opportunity to beautify our neighborhoods, improve air quality and climate resiliency, cool neighborhoods, reduce utility bills, and improve home values.”

The program will help facilitate economic opportunity as the four contractors chosen for the project are from Detroit, which includes Black-owned JE Jordan Landscaping, according to the release.

 Erica Jordan, Vice President of JE Jordan said, “The contracts we have with the City of Detroit have allowed us to grow our company tenfold. The project managers we work with continuously set us up for success. Working with the city has been an awesome opportunity.” 

Jordan added that they were honored to be participating in the program, according to the city.

“We take an enormous amount of pride in planting these trees. The residents are always so happy to see us and pleased with the finished product. We know we are making a difference in their lives,” she said.