Tree Care Advisory Board moves Arbor Day to Windermere Park and flags emerald ash borer threats

The Tree Care Advisory presenter (Speaker 1) told the commission that Arbor Day programming has been relocated to Windermere Park and combined with a nearby mural painting event to increase community participation.

Event and volunteer plan: The presenter described demonstrations (professional tree climbing, woodturning), children’s activities (seed 'bomb' making), a volunteer certification ceremony for citizen foresters and an expected Nov. 15 lake planting organized with the Pflugerville Parks Foundation. “All of them are gonna be native,” the presenter said when discussing new trees to be planted along playground and trail areas.

Operational details and community coordination: Staff noted parking plans for the event site, expected overflow management and opportunities for local groups (e.g., church volunteer teams) to help with parking and planting. Presenters said some parks lack irrigation infrastructure and that neighborhood residents have agreed to provide temporary watering support where needed.

Emerald Ash Borer risk: The advisory presenter warned that Emerald Ash Borer is approximately two counties away and can cause a severe ash‑tree decline over time. “Once it hits here… I say about 10 years before you get a pretty significant decline,” the presenter said, noting the need for replacement plantings and a plan to diversify canopy species across parks.

Next steps: The committee will continue coordinating Arbor Day logistics, finalize volunteer assignments and schedule spring 2026 sapling plantings and targeted replacements at parks such as the public library and Lake Pflugerville.