Pecan Tree Topples Over in Zilker Park

Last week, sometime during the night, a 23-inch pecan tree (#NT033) snapped off about five feet above ground and fell near the stone pillars above the pool's parking lot. No one was hurt.

The fallen tree was originally scheduled to be removed, but the determination was later changed (see "Tree Maintenance Table", June 18th) as a result of the public meetings to: "PARD will prune to eliminate dead wood and broken limbs." When called for a comment, Don Gardner, an independent arborist who evaluated some of the trees around Barton Springs, said, "I did not inspect that tree as part of my evaluation. I do remember glancing at the tree during my walk and thinking it should be removed." According to Victor Ovalle, PARD spokesman, the failure has not been analyzed.

Three trees have been cut down around the playground area, but the trimming of dead wood in the trees to be preserved has not yet begun.

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By Thinman in News on July 14, 2009 4:08 PM 0 Comments

Comments [rss]

removal company

Hi, Thanks for the concern regarding the trees. It's not a good idea to cut the trees of, something else can be done for that.

removal company

Hi, That's not good to cut of the trees. There's something else can be done for that. cutting the trees is not a good idea.

elvislives

All trees have a life expectancy and eventually die, naturally or otherwise. In ideal conditions, Pecan trees have up to a 300 year life expectancy. It is safe to assume that the Barton Springs area is not considered an ideal condition. The death of these trees has likely been expedited due to the less than ideal growing conditions, soil compaction and disturbance within the tree's critical root zone or from a variety of other causes.

What is lost in the battle of the Barton Springs Pecan trees is the fact that very few trees (any?) have been planted (understory or otherwise) to supplement the "urban forest".

We shouldn't be happy that the City hired a tree removal company to identify trees to be removed. We shouldn't expect healthy looking trees to be an imminent danger to park users. But we should expect the City and Parks Department to realize that regular supplemental tree plantings - in addition to pruning and maintenance - can help offset the natural loss, selective removal or unexpected damage that impact the trees that are so greatly revered.

maryj

also, a huge branch fell a few weeks ago at the pool. it happened early in the day, so thankfully no one was sitting under it. it's sad these trees were not taken care of properly in the first place.

BramleyDirk

I feel like I am reading the Statesman, only 2 days ago

Thinman

Fair comment. I plead guilty.

Although the photo was from Friday, I only received a call back from Don on Monday. Also, I wanted to attend a PARD meeting this morning on short-term park improvements and ask some further questions. The information I received from PARD last week was, well, incomplete.

kingkirbythegreatoftexas

So, wait, he didn't look at this tree? It was on the list to be looked at, but he didn't look at it. Sounds like he was negligent in his job. What other tree did he miss?

nickc

reading comprehension for the win

Thinman

This tree was not on the Davey Group list to be evaluated nor on Don Gardner's list. Don Gardner was hired by Save Our Springs to provide a second opinion on the 29 trees identified by Davey for removal.