Deadly Joplin tornado also claimed trees

JOPLIN, Mo. (AP) -- New homes and businesses are sprouting throughout Joplin, replacing the thousands destroyed in the deadly May 22 tornado.

But one thing that is missing will take decades to restore: the trees. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch (http://bit.ly/w8ufwH ) reported that the tornado killed an estimated 98 percent of the trees in the storm's main path, stretching about a half mile wide and four miles long.

Just three years ago, the city proudly won its first Tree City USA designation from the Arbor Day Foundation.

Now, neighborhood once shaded by a dense canopy of foliage look like new subdivisions.

Steps are being taken to restore the trees. A group called A Tree Grows in Joplin has given away dogwoods. The state also has pledged funding and tax credits for new trees. .

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Information from: The Joplin Globe, http://www.joplinglobe.com

Source: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/M/MO_JOPLINS_TREES_MOOL-?SITE=MOPAR&SECTION=STATE&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

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