Harris County Flood Control is planting 429 trees in the Brays Bayou area from 610 west to Atwell starting Tuesday, March 12. The trees are mitigation for the beloved old oaks and other trees sacrificed to construct the higher bridges crossing the bayou at S. Rice, Chimney Rock, and Hillcroft.
Many trees will be planted in the medians along S. Braeswood and between N. Braeswood and the bayou. Additional trees will also be planted near the detention basin near the sound wall on S. Braeswood at 610, along the south side of the bayou close to S. Rice, and along the west side of the Chimney Rock ditch north of the bayou.
A mix of large trees and understory are included to provide shade and beautify the area while also increasing habitat for the many birds and other wildlife species in the bayou corridor.
Overstory species include various oaks and elms, red maple, loblolly pine, sweet gum, bald cypress, green ash, and river birch. The understory includes eastern redbud, yaupon, and wax myrtle. Many of these species are already planted near the detention basins by 610 and coming into their spring growth and flowering.
Additional planting areas will be added next year as the Project Brays impact reaches Telephone Rd.