[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he whirr of tree-trimming equipment will be commonplace over the next few weeks in downtown Kyle as work crews complete a beautification project in City Square Park.
Kerry Urbanowicz, Kyle Parks and Recreations Department (PARD) director, said the end goal is to improve the aesthetics of the park and “enhance its historical nature.”
A primary component in the beautification is maintaining the health of trees in the park, which hosts events such as the city’s Market Days during the spring and summer months.
“The trees in the park are a huge part of the park’s history and heritage and we want to be sure they are taken care of properly,” Urbanowicz said in an emailed response.
In an effort to improve the overall health of the trees, along with ensuring safety of park visitors, the city enlisted the help of a certified arborist to make suggestions on improvements.
Brian Dunlevy, a certified arborist since 2010, issued a report on improvements, which included the removal of two trees, as well as regular pruning and maintenance.
One of those trees, a large oak along the west sidewalk on Main Street, featured a “few problems” that made it a candidate for removal, Dunlevy said.
Two massive scars on its trunk and a heavy limb that could fall during a storm event were two issues he felt necessitated the removal of the tree.
“This oak is over parking stalls, and over a sidewalk; common sense should rule the day and this tree should be removed,” Dunlevy said. He added removing that oak would allow two other oak trees to flourish.
A hackberry tree near the gazebo in the park was also removed for aesthetic purposes, as it would “open up an area that is densely planted with mature trees.”
Plans for installation of a lightning rod system on a large red heritage oak, which Dunlevy said is the “crown jewel” of City Square Park, is also in the works, according to the report.
The system would take any close lightning strikes before they hit the tree.
“My opinion is that trying to protect a special tree like this is a wise investment,” Dunlevy said.
