POST FALLS - Post Falls has branched out with its arboretum along Interstate 90.

A new arboretum on the south side of the freeway along Fifth Avenue, on city property between Idaho Street and City Hall, has taken root to complement the strip on the north side.

"It's here for the public to enjoy," said Brendan Murphy, city forester. "It's a chance to get to know the trees and realize how they can be an asset to the community."

About 50 trees, including oriental spruce, magnolia, fir, Western hemlock, larch and evergreen, were recently planted on the 5-acre stretch on the interstate's south side.

The plantings give the south side 85 trees, including the crabapple trees planted there earlier. Murphy said about 25 more will be planted in the future.

Some of the trees already have identification labels to match those on the north side, and the rest will receive them in the spring.

The new trees cost about $4,000 and were paid for with the city's urban forestry fund. There will be 200 trees on the north and south side featuring about 90 different species.

The first arboretum on the north side - where the former Post Falls Chamber of Commerce was located and is now the home to some of the city's recreation classes - was planted by former urban forester Del Jaquish in 1994.

"This complements the work he started," Murphy said of the south side. "It's something that I thought should be done."

Murphy said signage directing traffic to the arboretum is planned.

He said the trees will eventually provide scenery to I-90 traffic in addition to arboretum visitors and cut down the freeway noise like Finch Arboretum in Spokane does.

"There will be a nice color contrast," he said.