Take Root, the urban tree-planting project that has brought together multiple Chattanooga groups and agencies, on Thursday announced a $100,000 matching grant from the Benwood Foundation.

Officials said the grant "represents a tremendous kick-start to the planned $1 million Take Root fundraising campaign, in which businesses, civic groups, foundations and individuals can match funds to support a five-year cycle of making Chattanooga greener — literally."

The Benwood Foundation’s support will fund the purchase, planting and maintenance of some of the first trees, officials said.

According to City Forester Gene Hyde, tree purchases alone over the five-year plan will cost $500,000. Other support, already secured by Take Root, has made possible the hiring of a project coordinator to oversee the program, under the direction of Mr. Hyde.

The initial Take Root plan will plant 1,500 trees in the expanded Central Business Area, bounded by the Tennessee River on the north, Interstate 24 on the south, Central Avenue on the east, and Riverfront Parkway on the west. These plantings will increase the tree canopy from seven to 15 percent. The program’s goal is to expand the planting area once these trees are established. “Chattanooga has become a truly eco-friendly city with a strong environmental commitment,” said Chattanooga Mayor Ron Littlefield.

“The Take Root project is so much more than the obvious benefits of urban renewal and scenic beauty. These trees will help our environment now and ensure a healthy eco-system for our children and their children.”

Mr. Hyde has chosen a total of 35 species and cultivars, many native to the Tennessee Valley. “These trees provide a blend of spring and summer flowers and fall color. Most are at least moderately drought tolerant,” he said. “I expect to start in November on Lookout Street with the planting of a native tree called the Kentucky coffeetree (Gymnocladus dioicus). The beans from this tree were used to make a hot drink that was a coffee substitute used by the early pioneers.

It was chosen last year by the Society of Municipal Arborists as Tree of the Year because of its great attributes as a street tree. As far as I know, these will be the first-ever planting of Kentucky coffeetrees in Chattanooga. At some point, we’ll also be using a disease-resistant cultivar of American elm. These trees were nearly wiped out by Dutch elm disease in the Northeast and the Midwest.”

Mr. Hyde will inspect every tree in the field before it is purchased and planted. “I look for evidence of improper planting, whether it’s either too high or too low in the ground, for root graft incompatibility, proper pruning, herbicide damage, or the presence of insects or diseases. I also evaluate the overall form of the tree, using proper crown-to-height ratio.”

Take Root is using information provided by the recently completed STRATUM analysis, revealing that the average street tree provides the following benefits:

• Energy benefits: $1.2 million or $6.27 per tree

• Stormwater: $2.9 million or $14.55 per tree

• Air quality: $310,000 or $1.52 per tree

• Carbon sequestration: $3.0 million or $1.65 per tree

• Aesthetic: $5.3 million or $25.96 per tree

• Total net benefits: $10 million or $49.94 per tree or a B/C ratio of 18.53 to 1.

Other Take Root contributors so far include the City of Chattanooga’s Tree Commission (overall stewardship), Leadership Chattanooga’s eight-member “Green Team” (branding, marketing and support), a UTC student design team (graphics and materials), Chattanooga State (materials printing), Chattz Coffee (original concept), Select Trees of Athens, GA (trees), The Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga (administrative support), The Urban Century Foundation (initial web hosting), an anonymous donation of $25,000 towards start-up costs, and several thousand dollars from groups and individuals.

To donate to Take Root, visit www.takerootchattanooga.com. To obtain more information about how your business or group can participate, e-mail Gene Hyde at hyde_gene@mail.chattanooga.gov.