Richardson council hears progress report on replanting after 2024 storm; city earns Tree City USA recognition

Richardson City Council received a briefing on the city's tree-planting programs and related projects, including a replanting effort launched after the May 28, 2024 storms and the city's recent recognition as a Tree City USA.

Sean Rogers, a parks staff member who led the presentation, said the Richardson Replants program combines public tree giveaways and larger park plantings. Rogers told the council the city distributed about 500 giveaway trees last fall and plans to give away another 500 this spring at three events, beginning with Trash Bash and including Arbor Day activities at Terrace Park. He said the city also planned 59 park plantings this spring and about 42 larger park plantings last fall.

The report covered three capital projects with planting components: a Renner Road median and nearby canopy plantings, Main Street median replacements tied to the Main Street Master Plan, and a City Hall campus replanting tied to current construction. Rogers said Renner median work will return 72 ornamental trees to the median and 50 hardwood canopy trees in adjacent areas; the city will plant species including possumhaw holly, desert willow and vitex on the median and bur oak, cedar elm and bald cypress in surrounding sites.

Rogers described changes to median species selection: "right tree, right place," he said, adding that ornamental trees better suit medians because they have smaller root systems and produce fewer canopy encroachments and debris. He said staff will plant Mexican sycamores again on Main Street but will supplement with monthly horticultural consultation, soil amendments and wireless moisture sensors in downtown tree wells to better monitor irrigation.

Rogers said 92 trees on the City Hall campus have been or will be removed for construction or because of decline; the campus plan includes planting 234 new trees and contributing to the city's tree mitigation fund established by the tree preservation ordinance approved last May.

Rogers also announced Richardson had been recognized as a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation as of March 10. He summarized the four Tree City USA standards and said the city met them: a tree board or department, a community tree ordinance, at least $2 per capita in urban forestry spending, and an official Arbor Day observance.

Council members asked about pest risks and storm vulnerability. Councilmember Joe Corcoran asked about emerald ash borer; Rogers said the city is not planting ash trees and is monitoring the pest, which has been found in neighboring Dallas County. Councilmember Barrios asked whether the giveaway peach trees are fruit-bearing; Rogers said they are fruit-bearing cultivars and that the spring selection includes an Early Alberta cultivar chosen for lower chilling-hour requirements.

Rogers and staff also outlined contractor and sponsor support: a local nonprofit, 1 Earth 1 Chance, and the Richardson Rotary Club provided funding and volunteers for giveaways and plantings; the city contracted with Fannin Tree Farms for the larger park plantings.

The briefing concluded with staff noting about 1,472 trees were planted or distributed across giveaway and city plantings in the recent cycle. Rogers said the replanting program will continue into the spring and staff will monitor tree health with soil and moisture management and regular arboricultural consultation.