The City of Marion and Monarch Research are pleased to announce the next community-wide tree-planting program. The goal of the initiative is to provide residents with native Iowa trees to plant in the right-of-way along City streets adjacent to their property.

“Marion lost more than 41 percent of its public trees in the 2020 derecho,” said Marion Mayor Nick AbouAssaly. “As we commemorate the fifth anniversary of this historic severe weather event, we celebrate the nearly 8,500 trees that have been planted on public lands and thousands more on private property in Marion thanks to collaborations with Monarch Research and other community-minded organizations.”

In addition to providing shade, reducing stormwater runoff and improving air quality, street trees have a traffic-calming effect and a positive impact on human health and mental wellbeing.

Marion residents and landowners who commit to the planting, watering and protection of the trees as they become established can register online for up to three free 3-gallon trees provided by Monarch Research. This program targets right-of-way areas, in most cases the area between the curb and the sidewalk.

Program details, tree species and the registration form are available at cityofmarion.org/plantingforward. Orders are due by Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025.

Members of the City’s Urban Forestry Division will provide inspection services to verify species, location and the number of trees suitable for the available right-of-way. Once the trees are established, the Urban Forestry Division then assumes the long-term maintenance of the trees.