Sioux Falls preparing to add 1,200 new trees this fall

The city of Sioux Falls is preparing a fall push to plant 1,600 trees in boulevards along streets, starting in mid-September.

The newest trees follow 1,200 street trees already planted this year in the city’s CommuniTree Assistance Program, which received funding from the U.S. Forest Service’s Urban and Community Forestry Grant. Bryan Peterson, the city’s urban forestry specialist, called 2,800 new street trees in a single year “absolutely astounding.”

The five-year program will plant 5,000 new trees. Prior to CommuniTree, the city averaged 500 new trees a year.