Council accepts Liberty Tree donation, agrees to schedule planting to avoid drought stress

Bulverde City Council accepted a donated "Liberty Tree" from the Daughters of the American Revolution and instructed staff and Parks & Rec to work with the donors on timing and installation to avoid drought stress.

Ginger Pano, organizing regent for the Honey Creek chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, said the chapter is celebrating America 250 and would like to donate either a Texas redbud or a live oak. She told council the group was willing to delay planting until the fall if drought conditions make summer planting risky: “We are more than willing and open to ... push it back at least to the fall,” Pano said.

Staff raised concerns about drought and irrigation costs. A staff member noted that extending water service to the planting site could cost roughly $1,500–$2,000 and explained the park’s irrigation zone layout, which waters groups of trees rather than individual valves; staff suggested alternatives such as using water‑gator bags or timing planting to when the splash pad/wet well irrigation is available.

Council discussed options including a conditional acceptance, planting in the fall, purchasing and holding the tree until an appropriate planting window, and placing a temporary plaque to mark the future planting. Council ultimately moved to accept the donation and agreed to coordinate with Parks & Rec on installation timing and irrigation logistics; the motion passed.

Clarifying details: The donors plan to seek a grant after council approval; staff said park irrigation draws from a wet well supplied by the splash pad when available or city water when not. The transcript records different wordings for the park and address in places; for clarity this article uses the jurisdiction name Bulverde and refers to the location as the Bulverde Community Park listed in the packet.