City of Joplin to replace trees along Main Street

(From the City of Joplin)

Starting the week of February 5, the City of Joplin will initiate a beautification effort along Main Street, specifically addressing the replacement of trees along the street. 

Joplin Public Works and Parks and Recreation Departments are working with Simpson Lawn Care on this project to remove the invasive Callery Pear trees and replace them with more appropriate trees, such as the Ivory Silk Japanese Lilac and the fruitless Spring Snow Crabapple tree. These smaller, flowering trees are more suitable for downtown beautification.

Short-term lane closures along the block where crews are working will be necessary during this project, but access to street-front properties will still be available. Simpson crews will remove all trees and replace the grating and cages in these locations until a tree is replanted.

After completing all removals, new trees will be planted in the cleared areas from 2nd to 8th Streets. City crews and Simpson will then move to 15th to 32nd Streets, utilizing the same procedures they did in the downtown area. 

Replacing Joplin Avenue trees will also be addressed, and they are currently being evaluated. Areas from 8th Street to 15th Street are included in a separate streetscaping project that will be out for design later this year. The City mailed letters to property owners along Main Street affected by this project.

Replacing the trees along Main Street is a long-planned investment that will enhance the overall appearance of the main corridor through our community and provide an attractive area for existing and new businesses. The City anticipates completing the project by late spring 2024. Funds for this project are a result of the citizen-approved Proposition Use Tax and the associated Beautification Initiative efforts.