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Largest Tree Planting In A Decade Underway At UK

Josh James
/
WUKY

University of Kentucky officials hope, in addition to “Seeing Blue,” students, faculty, and visitors will also see green this fall.

That’s if all goes as planned with a major tree planting effort spanning the campus.

"It's not just going to be a scattered planting here or there. We're making projects out of individual tree plantings. I think you'll see an overall new sense of place in some critical areas on campus," says UK Vice President for Facilities Management Bob Wiseman.

Close to 430 trees are set to be planted this year, including 200 along Alumni Drive, up to 25 on both sides of Avenue of Champions between Martin Luther King and Rose, and 20 on the lawn of the Main Building.    

UK president Eli Capilouto said new trees – mostly Kentucky natives such as American elm and honey locus – will create new green canopies like the one near Kirwan and Blanding towers.

The first half of the trees will go in the ground this spring, with the second half following in the fall.

Josh James fell in love with college radio at Western Kentucky University's student station, New Rock 92 (now Revolution 91.7). After working as a DJ and program director, he knew he wanted to come home to Lexington and try his hand in public radio.