Update: Welcoming a new burr oak tree to Shipe Park.

In January, the Friends of Shipe Park were awarded our second grant of $900 from the City of Austin Urban Forestry Grant Program.

This money paid for a large bur oak to replace another tree that was knocked over in a storm last winter. We have been witnessing more stress on our trees as climate change continues to deliver higher temperatures and longer periods of drought.

These funds from the Urban Forestry Grant are essential to keep our tree population steady and healthy. On February 9, Maas Verde Landscape Restoration planted a beautiful 95-gallon bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa) at Shipe Park (on the west side of the park along Ave F).

For the last three years, Maas Verde has planted a replacement tree for us. This year, the original plan was to plant a 30-gallon tree. However, when that size became difficult to source from wholesale nurseries, Maas Verde provided us with a much larger tree for the same price. Shipe Park, like all public spaces, depends on the kindness of strangers.

Our gratitude goes out to the City of Austin Government Urban Tree grant program, and to Maas Verde and their hard-working crew. With their help, Friends of Shipe Park will continue to be successful stewards of our beloved park.