A few Natchez business owners aren’t crazy about the idea of putting trees along downtown streets.

For one, if the trees are crepe myrtles, there’s the question of sap on the sidewalks. Second, those branches will block their signs that hang above the sidewalks.

City Planner Bob Nix tells The Natchez Democrat that the trees means more shade, which makes walking the streets in the heat more bearable. Because of that, he says, it’s more likely that people will shop longer.

Nix says limbs would be trimmed to prevent blocking of store signs.

The Community Alliance wants to start with empty spaces first and work back toward the more difficult ones. The group says nothing is going to be forced upon store owners.

The issue faces more discussion.