Wednesday afternoon, under a Barton Springs pecan tree wrapped in a pink ribbon, about 50 people gathered for a tree walk sponsored by Save Our Springs (SOS). They came to inspect some of the 28 trees selected for removal and listen to Don Gardner, an arborist retained by SOS to write an independent report. “Once you start looking at a whole bunch of trees,” Gardner told the crowd, “guess what folks, you’re going to find some that should just not be standing any longer.” Though he did not agree with all the recommendations, he praised Austin’s Urban Forestry Program Manager, Walter Passmore, for performing the first comprehensive inspection in one of the region’s most beloved areas. Gardner then delivered the good news/bad news: “My list says 4-6 trees pretty soon, right away, yesterday, and 5 or 6 others that may have to be taken down once we’ve done some more investigating. more ›