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The Village of Ewing will receive 10 trees for a park project thanks to the Free Trees for Fall Planting program, an effort of the Nebraska Forest Service and the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum, .

The new trees will replace old trees that are dying, add shade and beautify the park.

Despite providing a wide range of social, economic and environmental benefits, most Nebraska community forests have been in steady and sometimes dramatic decline.

Many challenges contribute, including extreme weather, insects, disease and lack of diversity.

The Emerald Ash borer is the latest major challenge added to the list.

In an effort to stop this decline and increase community forest resilience, the Free Trees program grants up to 10 high-quality trees for tree-related educational events and community celebrations promoting trees and fall planting.

Conditions of the grant are that trees be planted on public land and some sort of educational or public outreach event must be planned around the planting.

Village officials will plant trees Sunday, Oct. 3, at 2 p.m. Volunteer help is appreciated and required to fulfill grant obligations.

Village officials said equipment will be available to dig holes, so planting should go quickly. For more information, contact the Ewing Village Office at 402-626-7718.

In addition to simply planting more trees, the program goals include increasing appreciation and awareness of the value of community forests in Nebraska. Special emphasis is placed on species diversity and higher impact projects, especially street tree planting and projects in neighborhoods of highest need.

Free Trees for Fall Planting is supported by the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum’s Trees for Nebraska Towns Initiative funded by the Nebraska Environmental Trust, and a U.S. Forest Service Landscape Scale Restoration

grant received by the Nebraska Forest Service.