HIGHLAND | Because money does not grow on trees, the Town Council said it will not charge residents for trimming them on its parkways.

During a study session Monday, the council said a proposed $25 fee will be removed from an ordinance it introduced last month. The fee would have been required for residents wishing to do substantial trimming to the trees. It also would have applied to the removal and planting of trees on the parkways, which are owned by the town.

"I disagree with permitting for trimming," said Councilman Robert Helmer, R-3rd. Helmer said he does not mind regulating parkway trees as long as no fees are imposed.

Town Manager Richard Underkofler said he was getting some opposition to the $25 fee. Those residents, especially senior citizens, said the assessment would be a hardship.

Underkofler said there are between 8,000 and 10,000 trees on the town's parkways and many are nearing the end of their lifespan.

How to deal with these trees is a question facing the town, said Councilman Joseph Wszolek, R-4th. "We're one of the few communities that does not have an ordinance to regulate trees."

Among other things, the new ordinance would give residents a long list of trees to be prohibited from being planted on the parkways.

Resident Bill Vargo said some sort of tracking mechanism would have to be devised because the town has no way of knowing when a tree has been removed.

With the ordinance, the town can qualify for grants to buy more trees, Wszolek said.

The board's goal is to enact the ordinance by Arbor Day, April 27. This gives the council two more business meetings to accomplish that goal.