(Marion) – Rather than seeing dozens of fully matured oak trees bulldozed as construction begins on Marion ISD’s new elementary school, district leaders are hoping residents will give them a new home.
The district is accepting bids through Aug. 15 for approximately 40 to 48 fully grown oak trees that sit on the site of Marion ISD’s future elementary campus. The school will be located at 2112 S. Santa Clara Road.
Marion ISD Superintendent Dr. Don Beck says the idea came after community members began asking whether any of the trees could be saved before construction moves forward.
“We had one or two people ask me, ‘Hey, what are you going to do with all those trees?’ and, you know, if we tried to save any if we could. After those conversations, we decided, you know what? If people want to come out here and buy a tree, but then move it on their own to their location, that’d be great because they’re very well established oak trees,” said Beck.
Beck says the site must be raised significantly to accommodate construction, making it impossible to preserve most of the trees.
“As they raise the land, it’ll choke off all the trees that are there,” said Beck. “We got anywhere between 40 to 48 trees that are out there. At best, if we’re lucky, we could probably save one, because 6 feet of soil coming in will choke out all those trees, and it just didn’t make cost sense to save them all.”
Beck says the district hopes residents with room on their property will relocate them.
“If we can find a willing buyer that wants them to put them in their yard and the property or whatnot, we think that’d be the best way to, I guess, to be good stewards of the land and put a good established oak tree somewhere else,” said Beck.
Interested buyers are asked to email Beck with the number of trees they want and the amount they are willing to pay.
“They just got to send me an email, and I’ve gotten several emails. I think I’m up to about 8 or 9 people who’ve inquired about them. That doesn’t mean all 40 to 48 trees have been spoken for, but at least I’ve had some interest,” said Beck.
Beck says again, it should be noted that all successful bidders will be responsible for digging up, transporting and replanting the trees.
“It’s on to that person who purchased it to dig the tree up, move it and plant it because there’s no guarantees the trees will live, but hopefully most of them will,” said Beck.
The trees must be removed later this fall to make way for construction. Those interested in a tree or two are asked to email Beck at dbeck@marionisd.net.