History of Urban Forestry in Fort Worth
April 10, 1873 - Ordinance No. 19 stated "Nor shall any
person hitch or cause to be hitched any horse, mule or other animal
to any such trees or saplings for their protection."
November 15, 1911 - "Shade Trees in Towns and Cities" purchased
for Department @ $3.00. Two dozen tree guards purchased for downtown
trees.
October 15, 1913 - Mr. Tackett, State Nursery Inspector, discussed
preservation of trees and need to hire City Tree Warden.
January 31, 1915 - Mr. Evans recommended planting pecan trees
in parks. Park Commissioners agree to plant some.
April 26, 1921 - Board requested to maintain trees an Camp Bowie
and 7th St. Approved May 5th, 1921.
June 10, 1921 - Board approves removal of trees in Marine Park
interfering with ball playing at the request of local citizens.
Special session.
June 20, 1921 - Injunction served prohibiting Park Board from
removing trees in Marine Park.
October 2, 1925 - Board refers to Mr. Hare, Landscape Architect,
the position of Forester.
March 16, 1926 - Three men hired for Forestry Department. Morrison
instructed to formulate Forestry Ordinance for approval by the Board.
August 17, 1926 - Forestry annual budget approved at $12,000.
January 4, 1927 - Mr. Morrison directed to trim street trees when
inclement weather prevents park work. Priority given to care of
trees on park property. City Forester directed to assist Mr. Hare
in beautifying grounds at Courthouse and Criminal Courts Building.
January 28, 1927 - City Forester authorized to supervise all planting
and pruning in parks.
March 5, 1929 - Fort Worth-Tarrant County Federation of Women's
Clubs pass resolution to request that a separate division be established
in the Forestry Department for furnishing and planting street trees
at cost to abutting property owners if they desire to have trees
planted. Initiated by Margaret McLean, Park Commissioner and Chair
of Federation.
March 19, 1929 - City Forester and City Horticulturists to meet
with Board on September 15th to discuss kinds of trees to be planted
and Forestry Ordinance. Texas Federation of Garden Clubs decide
to plant Redbuds along 100 mile stretch of Bankhead Highway from
Dallas to Palo Pinto County.
December 3, 1929 - Garden Clubs and Civic Organizations protest
removing of undergrowth at Lake Worth. Board instructs Health Dept.
to preserve flowering shrubs, like dogwood, sumac, redbud and wild
plum around Lake Worth.
February 4, 1930 - Street Planting Resolution passed: All trees
to be planted under the direction of the City Forester, no more
than two trees on a 50 of 60 foot lot, variety of trees must conform
to designation for that street, not to prohibit the work being done
by other authorized agency, property owners responsible for watering
and care, charge of $5 per tree, Park Department reserves right
to refuse trees or change charge for service, City Forester to provide
Park Board with monthly report on program. Endorsed by local nurserymen
in letter dated January 31, 1930.
March 13, 1930 - Forestry Department reorganized. Total of 10
employees including City Forester, any additional employees must
be approved by Park Board, wages set at $4.25 per day for laborers,
City Forester to remain in office at least ½ day to respond to public,
pay jobs figured on actual costs, Forestry Department to have control
and supervision of all tree work on street and park trees, City
forester to supervise purchase, planning and planting of all trees
and shrubs, and City Forester to submit monthly report to Board.
January 21, 1936 - Congress of Parents and Teachers plant tree
in Botanic Gardens recognizing past president Mrs. Chalmers Hutchinson.
October 20, 1936 - Department orders compost machine on trial basis.
All important trees at Botanic Gardens labeled.
November 17, 1936 - City Forester authorized to start publicity
campaign to warn citizens of illegal plantings causing traffic hazards.
October 5, 1937 - Board asks City Forester to secure uniform street
tree planting and to continue to enforce the ordinance.
October 19, 1937 - Mr. Hare, LA, recommends no trees be removed
on Park Ave. and that gaps be filled with new planting. December
20, 1938 - City Forester Morrison resigns.
January 19, 1939 - City Forester Donald Obert hired. 250 trees
scheduled to be planted at Rockwood G.C.
February 24, 1939 - Department authorized to purchase 1,500 Redbuds
at six to eight cents each.
July 18, 1939 - City Forester Obert given power by the Board to
enforce Forestry Ordinance. Suggested that he begin publicity campaign
to inform citizens of the ordinance.
September 5, 1939 - Park Board hears numerous complaints on street
tree pruning. City Forester Obert instructed to give close supervision
to street tree pruning.
November 7, 1939 - Uniforms purchased for Forestry employees.
January 26, 1940 - City Council reviews Forestry Ordinance with
Park Board. Council directs Department to continue enforcing the
ordinance particularly the permitting process. Objectionable street
tree removals without the consent of the property owner would be
handled by the Police Department.
February 6, 1940 - Nurseryman support enforcement of Forestry
Ordinance. Permits for street tree planting restricted to non-fruit
bearing shade trees like cedar elm, hackberry, sycamore, oak, etc.
Park Board passes a motion that no ornamental shrub, fruit or flowering
trees or any trees not approved by the City Forester be permitted
for planting in the parkway.
November 18, 1941 - Park Board declines request from Street Department
for assistance in trimming trees in city alleys.
December 2, 1941 - Position of Junior Forester, Forester, Senior
Forester and General Foreman established. June 8, 1945 - Park Board
submits bond package for postwar that includes $60,000 for expansion
of Forestry Division and city wide shade tree program.
February 8, 1949 - City Council appropriates $15,000 from special
funds for storm clean-up from January 27th.
June 6, 1950 - City Forester Obert instructed to remove surface
roots of parkway tree at 901 E. Mulkey instead of removal.
January 2, 1951 - Park Department stops work of Fort Worth Improvement
District 1 in clearing and removing trees adjacent to river channel.
Committee established to designate which trees should remain.
March 4, 1952 - Ridglea Garden Club adopts 6200 and 6300 Camp
Bowie and plant redbuds.
August 19, 1952 - City Forester Obert appointed to Board of Governors
of National Shade Tree Conference. Park Board discusses purchase
of property with historic tree at 1206 Samuels.
November 4, 1952 - City Forester travels to New Mexico to secure
Christmas Tree for Burnett Park. Sponsored by the Star Telegram.
November 18, 1952 - Fort Worth Garden Club cooperates with Parks
Department to plant as many Redbuds as possible. Particularly around
the Garden Center.
March 16, 1954 - Names suggested for Samuels Avenue property,
Indian Trading Post Park and Tomahawk Park.
December 14, 1954 - Park site at 1206 Samuels officially named
"Traders Oak Park".
March 29, 1955 - Arboretum in Botanic Gardens established in memory
of Mary Daggett Lake, former Park Commissioner.
January 17, 1956 - Department plants 12 Red Oaks on Museum grounds.
April 15, 1958 - Western type plants collected from the Reynolds
Ranch in Kent, Texas used to landscape Camp Bowie.
July 1, 1959 - Sol Brachman appointed to Forestry Committee of
Park Commissioners.
February 1, 1961 - City discontinues brush burning. Department
proposes to switch to brush chippers.
March 8, 1961 - Department purchases brush chipper for $3,860.
April 8, 1965 - Board adopts policy to work with Corps of Engineers
in preserving as much of Trinity Park's trees as possible during
levee project.
August 28, 1969 - Department purchases first hydraulic tree spade
for $6,950.
November 8, 1972 - Memorial tree planted in Botanic Gardens for
nine families who have men who are POW or MIA in Southeast Asia.
March 14, 1973 - Freedom tree planted in Veterans Park for Vietnam
Veterans.
May 9, 1978 - Department receives grant from Texas Forest Service
to conduct street and park tree inventory.
January 9, 1979 - Board continues negotiations with Texas Electric
and Meadows West to recoup loss of trees. Mark Heil of TFS ask Board
to support TFS in establishing urban forester position in Fort Worth.
Board endorses concept and offers in kind support by Park and Recreation
Department.
October 7, 1980 - Board agrees to purchase computer for forestry
to computerize a management information system. Larry Schaapveld
and Ed Brown explain "Tree City USA" designation for Fort Worth
and present plaque to Board.
July 20, 1982 - Lon Burnum appears before Board to express concern
over tree loss in Mid South area from new curb and gutter installation.
$8,000 from Harston Gravel contract expended on establishing tree
farm at Wildwood Park in 1984.
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