Post by Logan on Jul 3, 2016 12:41:39 GMT -6
Neighbors concerned about future of tree estimated to be 500 years old
A massive live oak tree in Williamson County that one expert said could be as old as Austin’s Treaty Oak is threatened by development, according to some residents of the Summerlyn neighborhood near Leander.
The tree stands in the 500 block of Hoot Owl Lane on a piece of land being developed by Centex Homes. Since its diameter is similar to that of Treaty Oak’s, it could be about 500 years old, said Michael Embesi, the urban forest division manager for the city of Austin.
Laura Huffstutler, a neighborhood resident, said that the developers had told a homeowners association meeting that they would set aside the lot where the tree stands as a park for the community. That’s what she would like to see happen, she said. But a few weeks ago she noticed stakes in the ground around the tree.
Steve Ashlock, director of land development for Centex Central Texas, said last week that he doesn’t remember the company promising a park to residents. Centex plans to save the tree, he said, but is trying to see if it can build houses around it without affecting the live oak.
Read more: www.mystatesman.com/news/news/local/neighbors-concerned-about-future-of-tree-estimated/nrrXG/
A massive live oak tree in Williamson County that one expert said could be as old as Austin’s Treaty Oak is threatened by development, according to some residents of the Summerlyn neighborhood near Leander.
The tree stands in the 500 block of Hoot Owl Lane on a piece of land being developed by Centex Homes. Since its diameter is similar to that of Treaty Oak’s, it could be about 500 years old, said Michael Embesi, the urban forest division manager for the city of Austin.
Laura Huffstutler, a neighborhood resident, said that the developers had told a homeowners association meeting that they would set aside the lot where the tree stands as a park for the community. That’s what she would like to see happen, she said. But a few weeks ago she noticed stakes in the ground around the tree.
Steve Ashlock, director of land development for Centex Central Texas, said last week that he doesn’t remember the company promising a park to residents. Centex plans to save the tree, he said, but is trying to see if it can build houses around it without affecting the live oak.
Read more: www.mystatesman.com/news/news/local/neighbors-concerned-about-future-of-tree-estimated/nrrXG/