400-Year-Old “Jolene” tree to be moved in Kyle, Texas
The city of Kyle, which is located 21 miles out of San Antonio, Texas, plans to spend $932,800 to relocate “Jolene,” a live oak believed to be 400 years old, to make way for a three-lane expansion of Old Stagecoach Road.
The tree, which forces drivers to yield at a curve, has long been a local landmark, but now faces safety issues for drivers.
City officials say moving Jolene is safer than expanding into nearby homes and properties, but residents worry the tree won’t survive the relocation.
Texas News
Protesters created petitions and “Save the Porter Oak” to fight the removal.
“The tree is older than the United States,” said protester Casey Landers in early January. “We need to preserve it.”
NBC 5’s affiliate station KXAN in Austin reports that, Kyle City Council voted 6-1 in February to relocate the tree with the intention of “realigning the Old Stagecoach Road Project around the tree,” according to the 2022 road bonds.
“Jolene” will be relocated 90 days prior to the Old Stagecoach Road improvements, currently planned to begin construction in March 2026. Preparation for the trees’ move is already underway, and the physical relocation will take place in Fall 2025, according to the city of Kyle’s bonds website.
The city of Kyle, which is located 21 miles out of San Antonio, Texas, plans to spend $932,800 to relocate “Jolene,” a live oak believed to be 400 years old, to make way for a three-lane expansion of Old Stagecoach Road.
The tree, which forces drivers to yield at a curve, has long been a local landmark, but now faces safety issues for drivers.
City officials say moving Jolene is safer than expanding into nearby homes and properties, but residents worry the tree won’t survive the relocation.
Texas News
Protesters created petitions and “Save the Porter Oak” to fight the removal.
“The tree is older than the United States,” said protester Casey Landers in early January. “We need to preserve it.”
NBC 5’s affiliate station KXAN in Austin reports that, Kyle City Council voted 6-1 in February to relocate the tree with the intention of “realigning the Old Stagecoach Road Project around the tree,” according to the 2022 road bonds.
“Jolene” will be relocated 90 days prior to the Old Stagecoach Road improvements, currently planned to begin construction in March 2026. Preparation for the trees’ move is already underway, and the physical relocation will take place in Fall 2025, according to the city of Kyle’s bonds website.