Branch Out
From 1990 to 1994, the "Branch Out, West Peoria" campaign added 154 six to ten-foot trees to this community. This very successful planting program was sponsored by the West Peoria Residents' Association with the collaboration of the West Peoria Township and later by the newly incorporated city of West Peoria. Added help was given by the West Peoria Lions Club and State Representative David R. Leitch. The Greenview Nursery and the Evergreen Nursery, the suppliers of the trees, also participated in this effort.
WPRA members purchased the trees for only $25, and non-members paid only $30. The types of trees that were planted were Scarlet Oaks, Ashes (White, Green, or Autumn Purple), Skyline Locusts, Maples (Norway or Red Sunset), Crabapples (White flowering, Red flowering, or Ornamental), Redbuds, and Hawthorns. This project served both to beautify West Peoria and to replace trees that had been destroyed by storms, disease, etc.
Pictures of trees planted during this campaign can be viewed on the "Branch Out West Peoria" photo gallery. The West Peoria News or website staffs would appreciate hearing from any resident who planted a tree as part of this project. To request that our photographer take a picture to include in our "Branch Out, West Peoria" gallery on the website, send an e-mail to any of our staff or call Sharon Crews at 676-8109.