Nature
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A short journey for a much-loved, reportedly 400-year-old oak tree dubbed “Jolene” is soon to take place in the Texan city of Kyle as part of a road expansion project, with the move set to cost nearly $1 million.
The rest of this article is behind a paywall. Please sign in or subscribe to access the full content.Though affectionately known by its Dolly Parton song nickname, the live oak is officially named the Old Stagecoach Heritage Oak Tree. Its trunk is an extremely huggable 1.3 meters (51 inches) in diameter, and though the exact age of the tree isn’t known, it’s believed to be centuries old. As a result, Jolene is widely thought of within the city as a historical treasure.
However, the old oak also stands within 15 centimeters (6 inches) of the pavement’s edge on the road on which it currently stands, which city officials say presents an issue for traffic. “[The tree] currently restricts traffic flow and causes a pinch point as you’re going around the curve,” Kyle Assistant City Manager Amber Schmeits told KXAN-TV. Moving the tree means that the road can be expanded to solve this issue.
Under the plans, Jolene is due to be moved about 400 meters (around a quarter-mile) up Old Stagecoach Road and placed in a new “pocket park” specifically designed for the purpose of hosting the tree.
The plan hasn’t gone without criticism; some local residents have expressed concerns that the tree may not survive the move, even gaining just over 2,000 signatures on a petition to block the relocation.
“This tree is older than the United States of America. I think we need to preserve that,” protestor Casey Landers told KXAN-TV.
In response to questions about measures being taken to keep Jolene alive and well, the project’s website does state that “relocation does not guarantee survival according to multiple studies done on behalf of the City of Kyle by certified arborists.” However, it goes on to say that “the city is committed to the long-term maintenance efforts needed to give the live oak its best chance.”
“Those efforts include but are not limited to proper irrigation, annual mulching, and monthly inspections by a qualified arborist. Environmental Design, Inc (EDI) is also contracted to provide 24 months of post-relocation care for the tree.”
Preparations for the tree’s relocation, which has been calculated by the city to cost $932,800, began back in July, and has involved root pruning and periodically watering the tree’s root ball, as well as cultivating the soil around it to stimulate root development.
The pre-move process is due for completion around this time, with relocation set to occur sometime in the fall, taking around 30 days. After that, Jolene’s in for some post-move care until fall-time in 2027.
