Horseshoe Bay removing live oaks that pose traffic hazard

HORSESHOE BAY — Four live oak trees identified as traffic hazards are on the chopping block after City Council approved a request from Police Chief Bill Lane to remove them.

A fifth tree originally on Lane’s list is being spared after a resident pleaded to preserve it. That live oak could date to the Civil War.

The decision to get rid of the other trees is not an easy one, Lane told the council Oct. 18.

"I’ve given this a lot of soul searching," Lane said. "We don’t want to remove any more than necessary."

Last year the council asked Lane to identify possible traffic hazards involving trees in or near roads. The trees listed by the chief after he drove the city could lead to injuries and pose a liability to the city, he told the council.