County Begins Tree Planting On New Mars Hill Road

Oconee County has begun planting trees along Mars Hill Road in a $375,115 beautification effort for the recently completed roadway.

More than 750 trees–both native and nonnative verities–will be planted along the sides of and in the median strips of the roadway over the next two months.

The goal is to “create a parkway that residents can be proud of,” according to Oconee County Chairman John Daniell.

The Georgia Department of Transportation has not yet turned the roadway back to the county, as it is expected to do, but Daniell said the county is moving ahead with the planting even without that action by the state.

After the trees are planted, they will be watered, mulched, and staked as needed, according to a news release issued by the county last week. After the first year, Oconee County will contract with tree care experts for management of the trees.

For further details on the story, please follow the link to Oconee County Observations.

Pictured: Workers near Barber Creek Bridge on 1/28/2019.