For Immediate Release
Date: December 3, 2012

WHAT: The City of Savannah on Tuesday will begin planting the first of more than 100 trees within the Abercorn Street Median.

WHEN: Best time to view action will be between 1 and 2 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 4.

WHERE: Work begins in the Abercorn Median between White Bluff Road and Montgomery Cross Road (near the Best Buy shopping plaza).

WHO: City of Savannah Park and Tree Director Jerry Flemming and Forestry Administrator Bill Haws will be on site from 1-2 p.m.

WHAT ELSE: Over the past few weeks Park and Tree crews have been busy removing old and dead vegetation, and conducting significant site preparation in the Abercorn Median between DeRenne and Tibet avenues to make way for more than 100 crape myrtle trees that will be planted over coming days. Tree planting will be concentrated in the Harmon Canal area south of Montgomery Cross Road, as well as other suitable areas between DeRenne and White Bluff.

The landscaped medians improve the appearance of the roadway and provide a separation between traffic moving in opposite directions. Crape myrtle trees provide interesting bark appearances year round, brilliant floral color for most of the summer and leaf color in the fall. It is one of the few desirable trees that can survive the harsh environmental conditions of a heavily traveled roadway such as Abercorn. Canopy trees, primarily live oaks, have also been installed on the shoulders of Abercorn, where space allows, to shade portions of the concrete roadways and parking lots.