Tomball officials discussed a $1.55 million agreement April 6 for tree growing and planting tied to the city’s Main Street/FM 2920 streetscape improvement project.
The details
The item was presented during workshop discussion and is included in the city’s fiscal year 2025-26 capital improvement budget.
The agreement with Environmental Designs Inc. would cover large replacement trees along Main Street from Elm to Hicks streets, as well as additional trees planned in other parts of the corridor, per agenda documents.
Public Works Director Drew Huffsman said about 45-50 large trees are expected to be planted downtown, along with about 10 extra trees grown as backups.
Huffsman said the large trees planned for Main Street would be 10-12 inches in diameter, making them larger than the existing large trees still standing.
Smaller trees ranging from 6-8 inches in caliber are planned for other sections, including from Concordia Lutheran High School to Four Corners. He said those trees would be planted in engineered areas designed to avoid damaging roads or nearby property as they grow.
Council members also asked about the potential cost of delays. Huffman said the contract includes about $4,000 per month in tree care costs if the broader project timeline is extended, although officials said the city is continuing to work with the Texas Department of Transportation to keep the project on schedule ahead of its expected January 2029 start.
The trees planned for the project are live oaks, and staff said the contract includes warranty protections as the city works through the growing and planting process.
No action was taken during the workshop meeting agenda item.
