All trees with questionable health and/or structural integrity are examined by multiple arborists. In many cases, branch and root samples are taken to the UT Soil, Plant, and Pest Center for professional examination by plant pathologists. Determinations about which trees must be removed are made by multiple qualified professionals only after thorough examination and inspection. Several trees are being monitored for overall health. Necessary removals are approved by the board and scheduled for removal by licensed, bonded, and insured professionals. Improvements to overall tree management practices are essential to preserve Abbottsford’s tree canopy. The following tree work will be scheduled to begin sometime this month, depending on arborist availability.
1. Overton Park has three maple trees diagnosed with Slime Flux by plant pathologists, Dr. Ranabhat and Dr. Moraes, at the UT Soil, Plant, and Pest Center (report attached). Two trees in the upper median across from the clubhouse have already died, and the third is showing signs of infection. Slime Flux transmits through shared root systems. Drs. Ranabhat and Moraes recommend removal to prevent spread to other maples in Abbottsford.
2. Playground Oak Removal: Master arborist, Jacob Winn (Bartlett Tree Experts) examined the large, historic playground oak tree to determine its structural integrity. Using specialized resistance drilling equipment, Jacob determined that the structural integrity of the oak tree is insufficient (Level III Tree Risk Assessment Report attached). Unfortunately, the tree must be removed for safety reasons.
3. Greenwich Park Redbud Removal: The redbud at the bottom of the walkway between Foster Hill and Greenwich Park is infested with Granulate Ambrosia Beetles and must be removed and burned to prevent spread to other trees (report attached). A second redbud in the area is being tested and may also require removal.
4. Foster Hill Deadwood Pruning:
- A large, dead co-dominant stem in the tall Hackberry near the parking area in the lower median will be pruned.
- Dead will be pruned from the Kwanzan Cherry trees and Crabapple in the upper median.
- Low, dead limbs will be pruned from Willow Oaks in Foster Hill’s lower median.
3. Bowring Park:
- Dead limbs in Kwanzan Cherry trees on Bowring Park will be pruned.
- Stump grinding of invasive privet trees will prepare the site for future planting improvements in front of both parking areas. Privet were overgrown and dead/dying, unattractive, overhung the parking areas, crowded the street lights, and are one of the most noxious invasive plants in the Southeastern US.
- A dead pine tree in a tight area next to the perimeter fence will be removed.
4. Abbottsford Median:
- Dead limbs will be removed from the large Pin Oak in the median across from 107 Abbottsford.
- A rapidly declining Maple in the SW corner of the 2nd median closest to the entrance to St. James Park will be removed due to rapid decline, significant loss of bark, and suspected Slime Flux disease (plant pathology report pending).
- The bulky limb of a previously wounded Southern Magnolia will be pruned to reduce the weight on the large, lateral limb in hopes of preventing breakage and loss of the entire limb.
