Norway raising money to plant elm trees downtown

Norway Town Manager Dennis Lajoie stands on Main Street in August 2019 to look at potential sites for elm trees. A.M. Sheehan/Advertiser Democrat file photo

NORWAY — Selectman on Thursday authorized raising money to plant elm trees downtown in celebration of the state’s bicentennial this year.

Planning Board member Dennis Gray said the public will be able to purchase an elm for $300 and the number planted will depend on how much money is raised.

“If we raise $2,400, we get eight trees,” he said.

According to Norway Town Manager Dennis Lajoie, appropriate locations will have to be located to plant additional trees. Since each tree grows to 75 feet tall, well above power lines, they will likely have to be planted where there are no posts or power lines.

Gray said he hopes to have the money raised by early spring.

“I would hope that we would raise this money by April so we know how much there is and we can plan on where we put” (the trees). We could do that in conjunction with the tree ordinance and taking advice from the arborist, as well as to where they would be best planted.” he said.