In the Fall of 2009, The Tree Place, formerly Designs in Nature, was (and still is) a tree contractor for the City of Carrollton. After reading the Dallas Morning News article by Jacquielynn Floyd, Lori Dennis, then Carrollton City Arborist, discussed the pending destruction of the tree due to road construction with Robert Hafkesbring, Owner of The Tree Place. It turned out that Robert was already familiar with the Division Street Palm and it's location. Lorri suggested that the tree would enhance Carrollton's Rainforest themed swimming pool which resulted in Robert offering to move tree for Good Will.

The size, species, steep slope, obstructions, and heavy debris around the base of the tree on the SW corner of the Division Street overpass to TX Highway 360 in Carrollton, TX, made for an incredibly complex and unusual operation for the Tree Place. Neverless, the Tree Place accepted the challenge and the tree was successfully removed from Arlington, TX on December 12, 2009 and transported to the Carrollton, TX Rainforest Pool area. New difficulties were encountered in replanting the tree but again overcome by The Tree Place team under the direction of the project mastermind Robert Hafkesbring. The following images summarize the work, professionalism, and generosity of The Tree Place that were applied to save The Division Street Palm.

Arlington, Texas 10/15/2009

A ray of hope emerged when Jacquielynn Floyd, Dallas Morning News Columnist, responded to my email on October 8 and then called to arrange a meeting at the tree in Arlington on October 15, 2009. On October 15 Jacquielynn Floyd met the author at the tree accompaned by a Dallas Morning News Photographer. Jacquielynn collected information to write a story about the Division Street Palm at that time and which was published in her column on October 16, 2009 entitled: "Man's Rooting for Tree he Found on Highway.

Arlington, Texas 12/11/2009

Lorri Dennis, Carrollton Arborist (left) and Jacquielynn Floyd (right) at the Carrollton Rainforest Pool after the Division Street Palm arrived from Arlington. Columnist/Reporter Jacquielynn was present in both Arlington and Carrollton to observe transplanting activities.

Carrollton, Texas 10/25/2012

Three years subsequent to the move Jacquielynn contacted the author to meet at the tree and review the condition of the Division Street Palm. The result was another story in her column entitled: "Once-Doomed Palm Tree Thriving in New Digs."

The Division Street Palm

Jacquielynn Floyd - Columnist - Dallas Morning News

Columns written by Jacquielynn Floyd in the Dallas Morning News