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Crews Hope To Revive Dying Oaks With Food Scraps

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Nearly 100 dying oak trees at Minnehaha Park could get a second chance at life because of some green technology.

Minneapolis Parks and Recreation crews are trying to save the trees and help them flourish by using food scraps.

They're trying something called "Prescription Organic Matter" which is made up of food waste compost collected from around the Twin Cities.

It will be placed around the roots of the 96 oak trees at the picnic area at Minnehaha Park. The hope is the organic matter will help revitalize the tree roots.

The oak trees are in severe states of decline because of drought conditions and construction damage.

Crews started laying down the organic matter Tuesday morning. Researchers will be on site too, hoping to learn how the process could help struggling trees around the country.

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