Paul Samball has planted thirsty willow, pine and maple trees to help drink up what he calls an "overabundance of groundwater" on his property.

The trees also shade a creek, protecting it, he said Thursday at the Hermitage Municipal Authority meeting.

Tearing down many of the trees, as Hermitage officials had proposed doing, to install a sanitary sewer line would do more harm than good, said the resident of 1410 S. Keel Ridge Road.

City officials have agreed and altered plans to avoid the trees.