"It is difficult to preserve what
the public doesn’t know exists." -
Don Henley
May 4, 2004
Press release By SARAH BJORNSON
On Tuesday, May 4, Mr. Don Henley, Honorary Chair of Texas
Tree Trails (a new organization), launched the group’s effort to
find, locate, recognize, measure, photograph and gather data on
all significant trees in or near the DFW area. After comments
from Mr. Henley and other Texas Tree Trails experts at 2pm,
those in attendance toured some of the Dallas Arboretum’s
North Texas and State Champion trees. Others enjoyed the
incredibly beautiful Texas spring afternoon and sipped cold
lemonade while discussing environmental issues with local and
regional experts.
 “It is difficult to preserve what the public doesn’t know
exists,” Henley said. Mr. Henley is an advocate for
environmental issues and his support will help raise awareness
of significant trees in North Texas. The
creation
of Texas Tree Trails marks the first time that citizen action
groups, local plant experts and a state agency have come
together in a program to recognize significant trees.
 Mission
The Texas Tree Trails program was created to showcase the
importance of botanical, historical, and cultural treasures by
using a virtual tour and other publications. An adoption program
will be instituted to ensure the current and future health in
addition to the structural integrity of these significant trees.
Once the program is fully developed, the project will expand its
boundaries by encouraging participation from all cities within
the state.
 Arboretum’s Champion Trees
There are 3 State Champion trees and 30 North Texas Champion
trees at the Dallas Arboretum, including a Chalk Maple and a
Yaupon Holly (at left). “We are thrilled to be a part of the Texas Tree
Trails program,” said Dave Forehand, the Arboretum’s Vice
President of the Gardens. “In addition to facilitating data
collection for the project, the Arboretum is developing a map of
our State and North Texas Champion trees so that the hundreds of
thousands of guests visiting the Arboretum each year will be
increasingly aware of how important these natural monuments are
to our community.”
History
The Texas Tree Trails program was conceived and developed by
active members of the Dallas Historic Tree Coalition (DHTC).
DHTC began raising money and laying the groundwork for the
project in 2001. A grassroots effort was developed to present
treasured trees in North Texas to public and civic leaders in a
way that demonstrates the trees’ vulnerability, worth, and value
as ecological and eco-tourism infrastructure in our community.
The Trinity
 Blacklands Urban Forestry Council joined
forces with DHTC by providing additional volunteers with
taxonomy, forestry, and horticultural expertise. The Texas
Forest Service became involved and added dimensions of
distinction and recognition to the project, as a result of their
stewardship of the Big Tree Registry program as well as
supporting the combined groups with a Texas Forest Service
grant.
Additional information about Texas Tree Trails and its member
organizations can be obtained by visiting
www.texastreetrails.org
or by calling Sarah Bjornson at 972-877-1140. If unavailable
contact Matt Grubisich, Dallas Area Regional Forester Texas
Forest Service, at 214-953-1190. Visit
www.dallasarboretum.org or call 214-327-4901 for
information about the Dallas Arboretum.
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| Sarah
Bjornson, TBUFC |
Doug
Pierson, TBUFC |
Matt
Grubisich, TFS |
|
Some of the Speakers at the Event |
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