Green Up Alabama grant funds tree plantings in Brewton

A federal "Green Up Alabama" grant is funding new tree plantings across Brewton, aimed at replacing trees lost in storms and adding shade to parks and neighborhoods, project representatives said.

The effort, which the presenters described as targeted to smaller, underserved communities, will add species selected to match site conditions — for example, bald cypress and sweetbay magnolia at a wet pond site — and includes a two-year aftercare plan to help saplings establish.

"This is a grant that we wrote. It's a federal grant and we're calling it Green Up Alabama," the Presenter said, describing the program's statewide focus on helping smaller communities replant trees lost to storms and to introduce trees in neighborhoods that previously lacked them. He said the project team has experience with prior federally funded plantings in Brewton, including post-Hurricane Ivan work and plantings at Jennings Park.

Project coordinator Jessica Baldman said species choices were guided by specific site conditions and community preferences. "We're planting some flowering trees near the flowering garden, cypresses near the lake to replace some of the trees that they've lost in the past, and we're planting several oaks out at the Fisher Center," Baldman said.

The presenters described the technical factors shaping selection: soil type, local climate differences across Alabama, space constraints above and below ground, and infrastructure such as power lines and sidewalks. "We don't want to put large trees under power lines. We don't want to put large trees too close to sidewalks or streets because they might damage some of that infrastructure that the cities have invested," the Presenter said.

On planting technique, the Presenter warned homeowners against a common error: planting trees too deep. "Probably the number one mistake I see in planting trees is planting trees too deep," he said, explaining that the root collar should sit about one to two inches above grade so settling yields the correct depth and roots receive oxygen.

Staff discussed aftercare expectations: water young trees twice a week in summer (every three to four days), and at least once a week starting now through the first two years so they can establish without being saturated. The team said spacing decisions aim to produce a large canopy within 10 to 15 years to provide shaded picnic and play areas.

The next planting sites the team identified are the Fisher Center near the community orchard, where multiple oaks will be sited around a splash pad, playground and picnic tables, and other neighborhood locations. The presenters said they plan to return to monitor growth and maintenance needs as trees mature.

No formal votes or government actions were recorded at the event; the presentation described grant-funded project work, species selection rationale and practical guidance for successful establishment.