Richardson renews tree-planting push: 500 tree giveaways, streets and park plantings and Tree City USA recognition

Parks staff told the Richardson City Council on Monday that the city will resume its Richardson RePlants giveaways this spring and is expanding several public-planting efforts to restore the urban canopy after last year’s May storms.

Sean Rogers, a parks presenter, said the city gave away roughly 500 trees last fall and aims to repeat that with three giveaway events starting at Trash Bash, again at Mimosa Park on April 12 and on National Arbor Day at Terrace Park. "Our goal is to give away 500 trees again this spring. I don't think that's gonna be any problem at all," Rogers said.

Rogers described two parallel efforts: free tree giveaways for residents and larger contractor-planted specimens for parks and medians. Parks and Recreation will plant 59 medium and large trees this spring in parks (Breckenridge Terrace, Mimosa, Main Street, Birkner Park, Cottonwood Park and Half Pines Park) through a contract with Fannin Tree Farms; staff said 42 city-planted trees were installed last fall across six parks. For the Renner Road water-line project, staff reported 40 trees were removed and the plan is to replant 122 trees in the corridor (72 ornamentals on the median and 50 hardwood canopy trees in adjacent areas), with 35 already in the ground.

Rogers also updated the council on downtown and City Hall work. Wireless moisture sensors will be installed in downtown tree wells to better tailor irrigation and Main Street phase two will add 15 Autumn Blaze maples. On the City Hall campus, staff said approximately 234 new trees are planned to mitigate about 92 trees that have been or will be removed during construction; the mitigation will be managed under the city’s new tree preservation ordinance.

The presentation noted partners and sponsors that supported the replanting work, including the volunteer group 1 Earth 1 Chance and the Richardson Rotary Club, which provided funding and volunteers. Rogers said the city had applied for Tree City USA recognition through the Arbor Day Foundation and announced Richardson was recognized as a Tree City USA as of March 10.

Council members asked about pests and storm vulnerability. Joe Corcoran asked whether the city is taking steps against emerald ash borer; Rogers said Richardson will not plant ash trees and is monitoring the pest in nearby counties. On whether median plantings are vulnerable to heavy storms or vehicle damage, Rogers said staff selects species and uses structural pruning and soil amendments to improve long-term survival.

The presentation closed with a tally Rogers highlighted: "1,472 trees planted in Richardson this year," combining giveaway and city-planted totals, and with upcoming giveaway dates for residents on the calendar.

The council did not take formal action on the presentation; staff said events and plantings are scheduled and contractors and sponsors are in place.