NEWBURYPORT — There are no grainy black-and-white Wanted posters of the Norway maple posted around town, but perhaps there should be.
The once popular — but now discredited — tree is responsible for causing sidewalks to buckle.
And improving walkways, neighborhoods and the tree-planting process itself is one of the roles of the city's Street Tree Committee.
City officials recently proposed to provide that committee with $10,000 so it can continue to plant new trees after making informed decisions on which types to put into the earth. The request is currently being discussed in a committee of the City Council.
"The Tree Committee has planted about 800 trees in the last decade," said Hugh Kelleher, chairman of the committee. "We use diverse species now, including varieties of elms, oaks, maples, cherries, hawthorns and others.
"Many of our buckled sidewalks were caused by the (rising) roots of Norway maples. We no longer plant those. In fact, the state has banned their sale in Massachusetts."
Municipal officials say the city is losing about 40 to 80 trees per year. Kelleher said that until now, there has never been money in the city budget for replacing the trees that are removed.
The Community Preservation Committee, with a budget independent of that of the City Council, has been a major force in assisting Street Tree Committee members to replace the losses.
The Street Tree Committee has received a series of CPC grants, all under $25,000 and each representing a valuable contribution in keeping Newburyport green.
Some trees are actually planted on private property — adjacent to public roads — so that neighborhoods can achieve a leafy look.
Many families here have been appreciative of a win-win equation relating to city government; they add a tree to their yard, and it is free. City employees often plant and initially care for the new arrival.
Kelleher said, "We hope the council will approve the $10,000 budget transfer, since it will allow us to plant 40 additional small trees this spring.
"And it will also help to make sure that nearly 200 trees we have planted over the last two years receive the attention and watering they need to become established."
In addition to Kelleher, members of the Street Tree Committee include Vice Chairman Ed Taylor, Sandee Liversidge, Paul Bevilacqua, Katie Haried, Jane Niebling, Jean Berger and Dave Dylewski. Tree warden is Andrew Lafferty.
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