Woodward Park gets 15 new oak trees
Dec 13, 2011 by BRIAN BARBER World Staff Writer
The newly planted Overcup Oaks will have "instant impact" in Tulsa's Woodward Park
Workers using heavy machinery began planting 15 overcup oak trees in Tulsa’s Woodward Park on Monday, capping off extensive renovation and beautification efforts that have occurred during the past several months.
The adult trees – each about 20 feet tall, 6,000 pounds and between 7 and 10 years old – are valued at $15,000 and were donated by the Tulsa Beautification Foundation. The planting will continue Tuesday.
Workers using heavy machinery began planting 15 overcup oak trees in Tulsa’s Woodward Park on Monday, capping off extensive renovation and beautification efforts that have occurred during the past several months.
The adult trees – each about 20 feet tall, 6,000 pounds and between 7 and 10 years old – are valued at $15,000 and were donated by the Tulsa Beautification Foundation. The planting will continue Tuesday.
Most of the trees are going into the relandscaped scenic slope area near the corner of 21st Street and Peoria Avenue, but some are being planted in five other locations within the park where trees were destroyed by the 2007 ice storm.
Because of their size, the trees will have an “instant impact” on the park, said Maureen Turner, the city’s Streets and Stormwater Department operations manager.
Woodward Drive within the park will be closed for periods during the two-day project.
Park renovations were necessary for the safety of visitors and workers because the soil and large boulders on the scenic slope had become unstable.
The area had been surrounded by orange fencing, part of it for up to four years, while awaiting repairs.
“The erosion had really just taken over,” Turner said. “There was a lot of damage. There were a lot of walks that were sliding down and getting sinkholes, 2- and 3-ton boulders sliding down the hill.”
Stabilization work began last summer, funded with about $100,000 from the 2006 third-penny sales-tax package and parks maintenance allocation. Eight trees had to be taken down in the process.
“It was hard to cut down those trees,” said Turner, who is also a horticulturist. "My job is planting and nurturing.
“But, unfortunately, the erosion had gotten so bad that there was no way we could have redone the slope without tearing up the tree roots. In order to get this done, it was very necessary.”
The area was well on its way from its normally manicured look to a natural state, Turner said.
“It was getting very weedy, nasty looking,” she said. “We had half-dead azaleas and tree roots sticking out of the ground. It wasn’t a pretty sight at all.”
About 1,100 new azaleas were planted this fall, as many of the older bushes, some decades old, had to be removed.
Turner worked with local nurseries to select azalea varieties with longer blooming periods and fewer insect and disease problems.
The oaks, which were trucked in from Georgia, are part of the project’s final phase.
Some smaller flowering trees that will be donated by American Electric Power-Public Service Company of Oklahoma will be planted in the coming weeks.
“Right now is the absolute perfect time to plant trees in Tulsa,” Turner said. "Our ground does not freeze below maybe an inch. All winter long while the top is dormant, a tree can use its energy to grow roots.
“So next spring, when it’s time to push out leaves, it’s not also trying to grow roots at the same time. It makes it a much more stable, healthier tree.”
A tree would be more vulnerable during Tulsa’s sweltering summers if it hadn’t had enough time to grow its roots.
Woodward Park, which is a favorite backdrop for wedding and graduation photos, should be better than ever next spring, Turner said.
“When everything starts to bloom out and green up, we hope the citizens go out there and say, ‘Wow, this is beautiful,’ " she said. “The park is really one of Tulsa’s treasures.”
Trees donated to county parks
City parks aren’t the only ones getting new trees.
Tulsa County officials announced Monday that the William K. Warren Foundation has donated 182 trees to the county parks system.
The trees, valued at about $80,000, are being planted this week at South Lakes Golf Course, O’Brien Park, Chandler Park, Haikey Creek Park, LaFortune Park and several other locations.
Work is expected to be completed this week.
“Additional trees greatly enhance our park facilities across the county,” said Richard Bales, the county’s parks director.
County Commission Chairman Fred Perry said the county was fortunate to have a partner like the Warren Foundation.
“They have not only helped us tremendously with our efforts to expand the LaFortune Park Tennis Center, but have now made this tremendous donation of trees.”
- Kevin Canfield, World Staff Writer
Original Print Headline: A growing beauty
Tagged: woodward park, select trees, select sustainable tree trust, tree planting, overcup oak, tulsa, tulsa beautification foundation, tulsas woodward park