The City of Fayette will have help paying for its extensive tree projects. The city found out last week it was awarded $10,000 for the Missouri Department of Conservation 2023 Cost Share/TRIM grant.

The grant application was spearheaded and submitted by Southwest Ward Alderwoman Bekki Galloway. It will cover 75% of the project’s costs, including the removal of 15 diseased and dying trees. Six trees will be purchased with grant funding to replace trees removed along Highway 240 at the south entrance to town. 

A total of 18 trees will be replanted, including the 12 free trees from Forest ReLeaf of St. Louis.

The cost-share grant will pay for the City of Fayette’s subscription to TreeKeeper software for the coming year and assist with educational outreach expenses (see information about the Emerald Ash Borer on Page 4 of this newspaper). 

Local certified arborist Dakota Wells assisted the city’s tree board and public works department with the assessment of the trees and the replanting plan. 

The City of Fayette is grateful for the funding from the Missouri Department of Conservation as it continues to battle Emerald Ash Borer and other threats to the community tree canopy,” Alderwoman Galloway said.