Carrollton Parks Department

Contributions of Carrollton Parks Department

• Provided permanent home for The Division Street Palm
• Provided city heavy equipment, loader, to assist with planting the tree in Carrollton
• Provided tap and hose for author to provide irrigation
• Arrangement so author can hand trim grass around base of tree to avoid weed eater damage
• Annual wrapping and unwrapping of tree with breathable tarp and installation of Christmas lights for decoration and warmth

Since arriving in Carrollton, the well-being and health of the Division Street Palm has always been a major concern of the Carrollton Parks Department. In October of 2009, City Arborist Lorri Dennis initiated this relationship by offering to move the tree to Carrollton after reading about the plight of the Division Street Palm in the Jacquielynn Floyd Dallas Morning News column. Lorri had been aware of the unusual tree in Arlington and had a plan to feature the large California Palm in the Rosmeade Rainforest Aquatics Complex. Lorri enlisted the help of Carrollton tree contractor The Tree Place, formerly Designs in Nature, and owner Robert Hafkesbring, to move the tree to Carrollton. Together Lorri and Robert planned all the logistics for the move and arranged for authorizations from the appropriate government organizations. Lorri and Supervisor Chad Hyde were both present at the Rosmeade Aquatics Complex late on moving day, December 11, 2009, and witnessed the ordeal which unfolded as Robert Hafkesbring of The Tree Place struggled with a Bobcat to maneuver the massive tree into the prepared planting hole. The tree crashed to the ground several times as Robert tried a number of approaches with the Bobcat and straps to seat the tree. At this point Chad ordered Carrollton heavy equipment (loader) to assist with the planting. The Division Street Palm finally fell into place as the Bobcat pushed and on the opposite side the loader pulled a strap wrapped around the tree. Subsequent to the move the author would haul 5 gallon "Homers Buckets" filled with water to irrigate the tree. Chad Hyde arranged for the installation of a water tap and coiled hose for me to hand water the tree after watching the auther struggleing with the 5 gallon buckets. Standing in the heat watering by hand has taken it's toll on the author over the years. I eventually purchased a soaker hose to wind around the tree. Slow drip irrigation is great for the tree and I can leave the hose unattended and watch from shade or carry filled buckets to water the pond cypress and other adjacent trees or transport them to Timbercreek Park to water my legacy burr oak tree.