And, hopefully, his million constituents will do the same.

The county mayor announced plans last week to plant a million trees in the Salt Lake Valley during the next decade - an ambitious aim that will take about 274 tree-plantings per day - seven days a week, 365 days a year.

"In the end, we'll have a beautiful, green canopy over Salt Lake County that we all can be proud of," said Corroon, overshadowed by a 100-foot London plane tree in Salt Lake City's Liberty Park.

But Salt Lake County isn't spreading that canopy alone. County and city governments will plant only one out of 10 trees envisioned under the program.

The remaining 900,000 trees will come from private plantings by corporations such as Kennecott Copper, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and county residents.

While the county is considering greenery incentives - such as discounts at valley nurseries for tree planters - Environmental Policy Coordinator Ann Ober said the county has forged no agreements.

"For now," she said, "we are just asking people to go out and plant a tree, and plant a tree in the right place."

The county's million-tree Web site - it's scheduled for posting late this month - will detail what constitutes a "right place."

The million-tree campaign already has sprouted other green county initiatives that arborists and municipal leaders describe as equally groundbreaking for the health of the foliage.

The county has begun drafting its first tree-care ordinance, and officials hint they may hire a full-time forester next year.

Mike Marett, an urban forester in Sandy and president of the Utah Community Forest Council, applauded the county for filling a "big void" in the valley's tree-care program.

"To get them to come onboard and do it right," he said, "is the most tremendous benefit to this whole thing."

County officials did not provide any cost estimates for the million-tree program, but said Rocky Mountain Power and the state have contributed $25,000 and $10,000, respectively, in seed money.

Whether it's air quality, energy savings or aesthetics, Corroon said a greener county makes good sense.

"There is no better way to universally improve the lives of all of our citizens than planting trees."

jstettler@sltrib.com

Thirsty parking strips

Summer temperatures have scorched the valley's urban forest - and parking strips are showing it.

Salt Lake City Forester William Rutherford reports that drought, incessant heat and insufficient watering have taken their toll on parking-strip trees.

But "more water is not necessarily the solution," he said. "Instead, we need to use better methods of getting the water to the roots."

Rutherford suggested adding more water to a drip line around the tree, watering before sunrise, auguring 12-inch watering holes every three feet around the drip line or replacing grass with mulch around the base of the tree. Tree-care information is available online at www.slcgov.com/publicservices/Forestry/default.htm.