TxDOT assists with saving heritage tree

COLUMBUS – When people drive down Walnut Street, they may be impressed with the new sidewalks, but what people may not know is that the sidewalk project, which started earlier this year in January by TxDOT, included some partnership between locals and TxDOT officials.

As TxDOT engineers began laying out the plan for the sidewalk project, they did not realize that a heritage tree sitting on Lyzette Barfield’s property may be affected.

Barfield, who is also the owner of Columbus Butane Co., said that when she saw TxDOT beginning construction near her property that she became concerned for the tree’s root system. She then made the decision to contact Daniel Lewis, staff forester, with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension.