Brian Capotok and Ben Senchak, of Gargiulo Landscaping, work on a tree planting and pavement project Friday on Main Street in Butler, part of a city tree planting initiative.

The Butler Shade Tree Commission hopes the model tree well installed Friday at 140 S. Main St. will entice other business owners to pursue the project.

Diane Smith, chairwoman of the commission, said a failing tree in the existing small well was removed, the area surrounding it removed and leveled, and a new London Plane tree planted in the larger well.

She explained that the larger tree well allows more rain to get to the tree's roots, and, as a result, better maintains the tree's long-term health.

An artistic border was placed around the well using reclaimed materials found around the city and arranged in a creative pattern, Smith said.

The commission is working with the Downtown Butler design team in creating the tree wells, which the commission hopes spread all over Main Street and its side streets.

She explained that because it was difficult to describe the new, artistic tree wells, the commission decided to build one as a model.

Jen Senchak, an arborist who provides volunteer consultation to the commission, said another will be placed in front of Olsen Engineering that will also mitigate a stormwater runoff problem at that property.

“We have a couple people interested, including one business on Cunningham Street,” Senchak said.

Smith said perennial plants will likely be added to the model well installed Friday, and Senchak said the curb was expanded so those exiting their cars are not forced to step on dirt.

Smith said the city council applied for a Southwest Pennsylvania Commission grant last year to pay for 40 more of the tree wells on Main Street.

Autobody Products Inc. on South Monroe Street donated the funds for the model tree well that was installed Friday, Smith said.