Rockport, Texas Holds Arbor Day Ceremony

This tree suffers from Oak wilt damage, a disease that affects live oaks if they are planted near one another without any other tree species. As the many trees' roots grow together, the disease is able to spread the infection and ultimately kill the trees.
Image courtesy of the U.S. Forestry Service

On Friday, February 11, the City of Rockport gained 40 newly planted trees during an Arbor Day ceremony hosted by the city's Parks and Leisure Services staff and maintenance crew. As reported by the Rockport Pilot, a total of eight Eastern Red bud trees, two Oak Burrs, 15 Shumard Oaks and 15 Bosque Elms were planted along the perimeter of the city's wastewater treatment facility. The variation of tree species was chosen to prevent oak wilt disease, which occurs when several live oaks are planted together. The disease moves from area to area through a tree's roots and if all the trees are live oaks, they will die. Extreme weather was another choice for diversifying. Some species are better capable of handling vast changes in the weather; for example, the heavy rainfall that came upon the city after years of drought.

The brief ceremony was attended by the city mayor, Todd Pearson, the utilities supervisor, Danny Cox, and a couple of home-school children eager to help with the planting.