(EDITOR’S NOTE: This is one in a series on the continuing effort to add trees to the community.)

Great Bend needs trees.
Tree Board President Charles Waknitz has been trying to get the word out, and each year the need is more and more evident.
Now the community is facing the eventual loss of large numbers of introduced pine species from pine wilt, adding to the continued loss of aging large trees.
And the town is not keeping up.
Waknitz said an inventory of “street trees” this year has shown that both the city itself and property owners have a great deal of planting to do to keep up, let alone improve on the number of trees in the community.
Fall is a good time to plant trees and Waknitz noted that the city continues to have a tree rebate program to encourage tree planting.
According to information from the tree board: “Any property within the city limits of Great Bend may be reimbursed half the cost of one or two trees in the amount not to exceed $50 per tree and a maximum of $100. Rebates will be approved subject to the availability of funds.
Guidelines that must be followed include:
• Trees must be on the approved species list.
• No more than two trees per property will be considered for the rebate.’
• Trees much be purchased from an established dealer.
• Trees must be planted between Oct. 1 through May 31.
• Trees must be one inch or more around.
• Recipients are responsible for the proper planting and care of the trees.
More information is available in a brochure available from the city office. It includes a form to submit for the rebate.