Knightdale Town Council has approved the allotment of $5,000 to fill in "tree gaps" along the eastern edge of McKnight Drive, between Laurens Way and Smithfield Road as well as in front of the Post Office.

As part of it's association with Tree City U.S.A., Knightdale is required to plant a certain amount of trees or sustain a certain amount of nature every year, Chris Hills, Knightdale planning director said.

"This is the first year we've had to have a line item for it, but we hope to start planting trees around the community every year," Hills said.

In prior years, Knightdale has collected enough debris from storms to keep from having to pay for planting trees, Hills added. He said he hopes to plant a total of 40 trees every year.

The move was recommended by the Knightdale's Land Use Review Board.

The board, before recommending changes to McKnight Drive, also surveyed the amount of vegetation and tree gaps along Laurens Way, Fayetteville Street, Widewaters Parkway, Parkside Commons, Mingo Bluff Boulevard, and five other streets. The town expects to begin installing the trees the first week of December. American Lindens will likely be the species of choice, Hills said.