City could do a double take on trees

AUSTIN (KXAN) - There is about $190,000 left in the city's coffers to take care of some old trees at Zilker Park. The city and Austin Parks Foundation officials said it will take most, if not all of that money to nurse the old trees back to life.

After a large pecan tree fell Wednesday night in Zilker Park, appearing to snap in half, the City of Austin now might consider a new round of scrutiny for trees in the park.

"If there was a decision to ramp it up and be a little bit more severe [in terms of removal] about our trees," said Assistant Parks Director Stuart Strong, "That decision could be made."

The trees in Zilker have already gotten a large amount of public review.

Initially, the city said 31 trees needed to come down in Zilker Park. After large public review, the city, along with the environmental and parks boards, eventually said three needed removal.

The city paid the Davey Resource Group to conduct a thorough assessment of 46 trees around Zilker Park. The analysis included looking at foliage, soil and roots, as well as using radar imaging to determine the internal wood structure, at a cost of $50,000, according to city staff.

Field work began in November 2008 and wrapped up in January 2009, with a final recommendation in March 2009.

The assessment of many of the trees around Zilker started after an accident last August, when a tree limb crushed David Saverse, 29, after he was walking across the park to use the restrooms at Barton Springs Pool. Witnesses said the pecan tree limb crashed to the ground without warning.

In all, the maintenance and removal work should take up the rest of the city's $190,000. Austin Parks Director Charlie McCabe said the foundation will donate another $113,000 to the maintenance and planting of the trees.

"What we want to do is try to catch up at least a little bit on the fact that we did not plant for a number of years," said McCabe.