Cooler weather is just around the corner, and the Town of Holly Springs is planning to take advantage of the fall planting season! Beginning in October, 35 trees will be planted at Womble Park after the removal of diseased and decaying trees. As part of the project, the park playground will receive new shade structures and picnic tables. Restoration work also will be underway at the nearby park stream, including the addition of natural plantings to prevent erosion and improve aquatic habitat.
Numerous trees at the park and around the playground are experiencing issues that include dieback or deteriorating health, co-dominant stems that make the trees prone to splitting, and hollow cavities with missing or decaying heartwood. Staff arborist and Parks Superintendent Taylor Jackson said the trees’ condition, in some cases, is due to age. Tree health also has been affected by construction and soil compaction over the years, he said.
The new, native trees will include multiple oak species, forest pansy redbuds, flowering dogwoods, and fringe trees. Several larger caliper trees are part of the planting.
Removal of diseased and decaying trees is anticipated to begin the first week of October. The playground will be closed during the few days when nearby trees are removed. By the end of November, new trees are expected to be in the ground.
Shade structures at the playground and new benches and picnic tables with shade canopies are planned to be installed by the end of the year.
The natural area between the playground and creek will be fenced off for a couple of months while stream erosion is addressed and new vegetation is established. The Town is partnering with NC State Extension on the restoration project, and a hands-on public workshop is planned with details to be announced soon.