City of Mitchell transplanting trees

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The city of Mitchell is transplanting about 15 trees to make way for the expanded ice arena. The trees were located by the arena, known as the Mitchell Activities Center. A second sheet of ice is planned for the MAC, and the city decided to relocate the trees to make room.

“We’re just moving them to new homes,” Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department Director Dusty Rodiek said Wednesday.

Seven of the trees were transplanted Tuesday, with three going to Public Beach, three near the new skateboard park, and one to the soccer complex.

Rodiek said about eight more of the ash and maple trees will be transplanted to Mitchell School District property. That will occur next week.

Gleason Tree Service, of Sioux Falls, was hired for the job since the trees, which are about 10 years old, are too large for city equipment to handle.

“They are beyond the capability of our spade,” Rodiek said. Gleason will be paid $250 per tree, he said. While removing or relocating trees has been controversial in Mitchell in the past, Rodiek said there have been no comments about this effort. “That’s just part of the hockey project,” he said.

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