Longview Replaces Some Drought-Destroyed Trees

LONGVIEW (AP) – Supporters of an East Texas city have planted two dozen trees as part of recovery from the 2011 drought that claimed about 900 trees. The new trees at Teague Park are part of a municipal improvement project funded by Keep Longview Beautiful. The Longview News-Journal reports city crews and the Texas A&M Forest Service were on hand Wednesday to plant live, red and chinkapin oaks, lacebark elm and bald cypress trees.

Urban district forester Daniel Duncum says officials tried to diversify so disease and insects won’t hurt all of the trees. Keep Longview Beautiful paid nearly $1,900 for the trees near the pond at Teague Park. The project began a year ago when crews planted 31 trees around structures including the Longview Public Library and the police department.