Allen Park Cell Tower & Oak Wilt No Prune Season
Do Not Prune.
WARNING: PEAK OAK WILT CARRIER BEETLE SEASON
- - DO NOT PRUNE OAKS from February through June - -
The SOLUTION is to properly prune your Oaks during a safe season when the carrier beetles are inactive, Details below:
Allen Park.
Travis County is considering a leasing a portion of Allen Park, the
Balcones side, to T Mobile Communications, 02/05/09 ON HOLD, Details below:
Do Not Prune.
The best months for pruning Oaks are the cold months (November through January) when growth is dormant and the carrier beetles are inactive. The hot summer months are also safe, but the trees are still growing and unwanted sucker growth may develop. Plan ahead.
Most Oak trees require only infrequent pruning. Obviously pruning should target dead limbs, limbs growing into building or utility lines, self-inflicted wounds (limbs rubbing together) and poor structural pattern growth. However, cosmetic pruning to strip small limbs from major branches is normally unnecessary. Trees need internal limbs on major branches to insure proper growth and taper of the branch which helps the branch to withstand the whipping action from winds during storms. Never remove more than 25% of the canopy. Healthy Oaks might be pruned every 5-10 years.
In order to prevent Oak Wilt it is essential that pruners comply with the Oak Wilt Prevention “Best Practices” including sterilizing equipment, immediately painting all cuts and not pruning during the carrier beetle peak season from February through June.
NWACA strongly recommends that you employ only certified arborists to prune your valuable Oaks. Avoid the uncertified tree service vendors who roam the neighborhoods and perform unsafe Oak Wilt practices.
Please distribute and discuss this Oak Wilt Alert with our neighbors It is extremely important to help educate new neighbors who may not know about Oak Wilt. Fortunately, Oak Wilt is being suppressed in NWACA. Unfortunately, outbreaks continue to happen annually. Note that over $500,000 has already been spent on previous NWACA trenching projects. We must work vigilantly to protect our treasured Oaks.
Additional Oak pruning and Oak Wilt information links:
Allen Park.
02/05/09
For economic reasons alone, T-Mobile has put a hold on their interest in Allen Park. The County, City, and our Park Committee will be meeting to discuss what to do with Allen Park, especially the undeveloped portion bordering Balcones Drive. You can e-mail your comments or questions to the Park Committee at:
Photos of Allen Park on Parks Page:
Background:
Travis County is considering a leasing a portion of Allen Park, the
Balcones side, to T Mobile Communications, The proposal is to build
a 100 ft. cell tower that will sit on a 25' X 30' pad. In
discussions with the County, it has been suggested that the monthly
lease income would be used by the County to improve the other side of
the park.
Travis County is holding a meeting on Thursday, January 29th, 2009 at
Ascension Lutheran Church, 6420 Hart Lane from 6 pm to 7:30 pm to
present their plan and receive neighborhood input.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE MORE INFORMATION, OR WOULD LIKE TO WEIGH IN, PLEASE
ATTEND THE MEETING.
For questions or suggestions, e-mail the NWACA Parks Committee at:
nwacapark@gmail.com
Wild Texas Parks &Travis County Web Sites Describes Allen Park:
A 10 acre park consisting of a limestone plateau covered by a
Juniper/Oak woodland interspersed with small, semi-open grassland
areas. Allen Park is mainly used for low density recreational
activities and offers a natural setting with panoramic views of the
city to the east. Allen Park offers opportunities for hiking,
picnicking and nature study. Special Events: Easter Sunrise Services
are held at the park annually. From Austin's MoPac, take FM
2222/Northland Dr. west. Turn right at Balcones Drive, and proceed
3/4 of a mile to Hart Lane. Turn left on to Hart Lane and continue to
Westside Drive. Turn left on Westside. The park entrance is located
on the left. The park is available for day use only, from sunrise to
sunset. No overnight camping is permitted. There is no entrance fee
for the park.
Acreage: 10 Annual Visitors: 3000
Available Activities
• hiking
• picnicking
• nature study Amenities
• picnic tables
• covered picnic shelter
• barbecue grills
• hiking trail
Special Notes
Day use only park. Ground fires are prohibited in all day use parks.
Glass containers and fireworks are prohibited in all Travis County
Parks.
