I-10/12 Split Replanting Begins

Baton Rouge, LA – It’s been 10 years since Baton Rouge Green was alerted to the fact that the Louisiana Department of Transportation & Development (DOTD) would be widening the I-10 corridor through the heart of Baton Rouge, affecting thousands of trees that the non-profit had planted and cared for over the past 35 years.

In 2021, 256 mature Live Oaks (Quercus virginiana) were removed from the central portion of the interchange. Those trees had been planted by Baton Rouge Green in 2000.

Tomorrow, the replanting is finally beginning.

This week Baton Rouge Green arborists, staff and contractors will be installing Phase I of the replanting plan which will include 76 trees in three species: Live Oak (Quercus virginiana), Bald Cypress (Taxodium ascendens), and Overcup Oak (Quercus lyrata).

The full design for the entire interchange, created by CARBO Landscape Architecture, calls for over 400 trees in a sprawling arrangement using six native species. The additional trees will be planted in two more phases over the next two winters.

Funding for the green infrastructure was provided in a landmark agreement made between DOTD, Boh Brothers (the lead contractor on the project), and Baton Rouge Green. During the project development, DOTD and Boh Brothers agreed to reimburse Baton Rouge Green for each tree removed. Under then-Secretary Shawn Wilson, DOTD committed to a reimbursement of 2:1 for the 256 trees lost, making it possible for Baton Rouge Green to plant over 500 new trees after project completion.

“One of the initiatives in our effort to transform transportation in Louisiana is teamwork,” said DOTD Secretary Glenn Ledet. “This is a great example of teamwork. Working with organizations that are striving to make a difference and improve our great state is beneficial for everyone. I’m proud DOTD played a part in the improvements and thank Baton Rouge Green for all they do and for the passion they have for the region.”

Shannon Blakeman, partner at CARBO and Baton Rouge Green board member, reflected on the project, saying, "Working alongside Baton Rouge Green allowed us to approach the interchange design with a focus on marrying environmental stewardship with bold, intentional design. We wanted to move beyond traditional highway landscaping to create a high-performing ecosystem that manages the site's challenges while offering a lush, welcoming 'Green' gateway to everyone entering the Capital Region. It’s an honor to contribute to a project that brings design and long-term ecological health together."

“We’re thrilled about the opportunity to completely transform one of the most important crossroads in the state. This is a 100% native species plant palette specifically curated to complement the bottomland hardwood forest of the adjacent Ward Creek,” added Christopher Cooper, Baton Rouge Green’s Director of Operations and lead arborist.

In the following phases Baton Rouge Green will install Black Tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica), Swamp Titi (Cyrilla racemiflora), and Sweetbay Magnolia (Magnolia virginiana).

"Over the next three years, we will see over 400 trees planted across 6 individual sites. With a large-scale planting such as this, we are taking it slow and learning from the site as we go in order to achieve maximum success. Phase I, happening this week, will establish the 76 largest growing trees (Live Oak, Overcup Oak, and Baldcypress) and will lay the groundwork for the small and medium trees coming in Phases II and III," added Cooper.

As for the difference between the 400 currently planned for the I-10/I-12 split and the 500+ intended, Baton Rouge Green will plant an additional 100 trees on other sites along I-10 in coming years.

“We absolutely wanted to get 500+ trees replanted at this critical juncture in our city, but space and safety restrictions didn’t allow for it. Which just means we get to spread that good work a little further down the road,” said Sage Foley, Baton Rouge Green’s Executive Director.

Those plans are still in the works, said Foley.

THE 1,000 TREE CHALLENGE

After the agreement with LA DOTD and Boh Brothers was set, Baton Rouge Green decided to use that planned work and funding as a launch point for even more new roadway trees, and the 1,000 Tree Challenge was launched in 2022.

The 1,000 Tree Challenge is the urban forestry group’s effort to install not only the 500 trees along I-10 funded by the reimbursement agreement with LA DOTD, but to raise funding to match that for an additional 500 trees to be planted on other major corridors across the city by 2032. The Challenge will require raising another $500,000+ for a total goal of at least $1 Million. That funding covers the cost of the plantings and the first year of establishment care overseen by Baton Rouge Green’s professional arborists. So far, the group has raised about $750,000 and installed about 350 towards the Challenge goals.

Other roads on the group’s target list for their 1,000 Tree Challenge include portions of Airline Highway, Florida Boulevard, Government Street, Perkins Road and Burbank Drive. Baton Rouge Green will continue to seek private gifts and grants to complete the Challenge.

A key factor in this effort: Baton Rouge Green intends to wrap all these newly planted public trees into their Living Roadways program. Living Roadways currently boasts 26 roads or interchange sites with over 4,300 trees that the non-profit actively cares for with entirely private and corporate support. The group receives no local, state or federal funding for the ongoing care of these community trees.

WHY PLANT TREES ON ROADWAYS?

Planting trees produces myriad benefits for humans, the environment, and the local economy, such as carbon sequestration, pollution capture, and lower temperatures, to name a few. Baton Rouge Green’s focus on roadway plantings is intended to help accomplish the following major goals:

• Improve Stormwater Management: large canopy trees are the first defense against flooding, preventing stormwater runoff into costly built infrastructure. A single mature oak tree can reduce flooding by 20,000 gallons of stormwater each year. Trees help mitigate the negative effects of concrete urbanization.
• Intercept harmful greenhouse gases & scrub pollutants at the source: by planting directly next to roadways, the trees help trap carbon dioxide and sequester carbon in their trunks right where vehicle emissions happen. The trees’ leaves remove airborne pollutants, especially particulate matter, i.e. PM-10, making the air cleaner.
• Inspire improvement, civic pride and deter littering: data shows that when landscapes are improved and trees are planted, area property owners are more likely to make improvements as well. Well-maintained green infrastructure improves physical and mental health, inspires pride of place, and can lead to citizens being more invested in caring for their community.
• Adapt to the effects of climate change: trees lower surface and air temperatures around them, reducing heat island effects. A recognized result of climate change, extreme heat disproportionately affects the elderly and disadvantaged members of a community.

About Baton Rouge Green: Since its founding in 1987, Baton Rouge Green has been leading and inspiring the planting and sustaining of our community trees and green spaces. Baton Rouge Green’s Living Roadways program began in 1991 and now encompasses over 4,300 trees along I-10, I-110, I-12 and other major thoroughfares. The 1,000 Tree Challenge is an initiative to improve the community canopy and expand the Living Roadways program footprint. Learn more at batonrougegreen.com.