KYLE — Kyle residents are protesting the removal of a Live Oak tree that is believed to be approximately 400 years old.
The tree, which city staff named “Jolene,” sits next to Old Stagecoach Road between the Six Creeks and Hometown Kyle neighborhoods.
Due to the planned expansion of Old Stagecoach Road, as well as current restrictions of traffic flow, city staff sought multiple studies of the tree in order to decide what the best course of action would be.
The first of these studies, which was performed in February 2020 by Arborvaugn Consult, LLC, determined that the tree was a poor candidate for preservation in its current location, according to a presentation by assistant city manager Amber Schmeits on Aug. 20, 2024. The report gave a score on a scale of 0 to 100, with anything below a 59 classifying it to not be a candidate for preservation; the tree received a score of 56.
More recent studies by Barlett Tree Experts, Austin Tree Experts and Heritage Tree Care rated the tree’s condition as fair and fair-to-good.
On April 16, 2024, city council requested that staff evaluate the possibility of moving the tree. It was recommended that, for the best potential outcome, the tree not be moved more than a quarter of a mile from its current location. In Schmeits’ August presentation, four options for relocation were identified, including: city’s easement on Old Stagecoach Road, Hometown Kyle Homeowners Association (HOA) open space, HOA park area and HOA park and trail.
At this meeting, staff did not recommend redesigning the Old Stagecoach Road construction to be directed away from the tree where it currently lives, as it would require property acquisition that may affect nearby homes. The verbal estimate for relocation ranged from $600- $850K.
Council then voted to direct staff to solicit bids for relocation 6-1 with council member Daniela Parsley dissenting.
At council’s meeting on Dec. 3, 2024, the item was again presented following a feasibility assessment by Environmental Design, Inc. The report included an assessment of the tree’s health, site analysis, relocation methodology, cost estimate, risk analysis and task durations and impacts. According to this report, the tree was considered to be in good health.
The total cost was estimated to be a minimum of $730,259, which is broken down into the following expenses:
• Tree relocation $499,550
• Road restoration cost $129,540
• Kyle Water Utility cost $5,000
• Rock drilling cost $90,000
• Water impact fee and meter cost $6,169
Additional impacts of the project were identified as:
• Traffic detour and road closure
• Temporary disruption of water services to 14 homes
• Water service during restrictions
• Aftercare
• Chance of survival
A motion by Lauralee Harris to proceed with relocation of the tree failed 2-4. A subsequent motion by Miguel Zuniga to remove the tree, create an artistic peace/marker near the tree’s current location and plant trees or acquire land for long-term conservation passed 4-2, with Harris and Robert Rizo dissenting. Mayor Travis Mitchell was not in attendance.
The Protest
Kyle residents, who have dubbed the tree “The Porter Oak” after writer Katherine Ann Porter, began protesting the removal of the tree after Christmas.
"This tree has not only been a part of our city’s landscape for generations, but it also provides crucial environmental benefits by helping improve quality of air," explained protestor Carol Sawczuk. "It is not only saving a single living entity, but also about maintaining the cultural and ecological legacy it represents."
One of the main voices in the grassroots movement is Dakotah Norton, who has helped organize the protest and has created a website, as well as a petition, in hopes to not only save this tree, but also others in the city.
“This movement is about more than one tree, it is about trying to strengthen the Kyle tree ordinance, protect all our trees and natural resources, and prevent people from having to make this fight again and again,” said Norton.
Former Kyle City Council member Yvonne Flores-Cale has also been involved in the protest, stating, “Due to the influx of new staff and council members, Kyle has experienced a significant loss of its historical context over the past few years, much of which will remain unknown. This tree symbolizes much more than just shade and traffic control; it embodies centuries of history … Isn’t it worth our time to explore and preserve such an important piece of our heritage?”
Sharing a similar sentiment, Paige Giordano said, "I am protesting the removal of Porter oak because I think it's important as a society that we design our communities in harmony with nature. I hope that protesting this removal will make the city reconsider how it plans not only this road expansion, but the rest of the developing city and keep the tree where it is."
According to a video posted on the Kyle Trees website, council member Robert Rizo visited the tree site and stated that there is more than a year before the project starts, so “we’ve got time.”
Currently, the discussion is not slated to be brought back before council.
To hear the full council discussion, visit bit.ly/4gJyZfk.
For more information about the protest, visit www.kyletrees.com.
