In Kyle, Texas, a 400-year-old live oak known locally as Jolene or the Porter Oak is preparing for a new home. The City of Kyle partnered with Environmental Design, Inc. (EDI) to relocate the historic tree, ensuring its preservation as the city expands Old Stagecoach Road. The high-profile project has gained national attention, drawing coverage from FOX 7 Austin, People, San Antonio Express-News, NBC DFW, and Community Impact, and sparking a meaningful conversation about heritage, safety, and sustainability.
A Historic Tree at the Crossroads of Progress
For centuries, the Porter Oak has stood as a landmark along Old Stagecoach Road, its broad canopy shading passersby and defining the landscape of western Kyle. At over four feet in diameter and more than 40 feet tall, the tree’s presence has long been part of the town’s identity. However, as Kyle prepares for continued growth, the city’s 2022 road bond called for widening Old Stagecoach Road to three lanes, a necessary improvement for safety and traffic flow.
According to NBC DFW, the tree currently forces drivers to yield at a curve, creating visibility concerns. Relocating the tree was deemed the safest option for residents, as it would protect nearby homes and properties. In early 2025, the Kyle City Council voted 6 to 1 to proceed with the relocation rather than remove the tree or redesign the project entirely.
Public Support and Preservation Efforts
Not everyone initially supported the decision. The Porter Oak’s deep roots in local history inspired residents to rally around it, launching petitions and the “Save the Porter Oak” campaign to ensure the tree would not be cut down. One resident told NBC DFW, “The tree is older than the United States. We need to preserve it.”
The widespread community interest ultimately reinforced the city’s decision to work with Environmental Design, a firm internationally recognized for relocating and preserving mature trees. The City of Kyle approved approximately $932,800 for the relocation and aftercare plan, making it one of the most significant preservation efforts in Central Texas.
Engineering the Impossible
Planning and Root Conditioning
Relocating a 400-year-old live oak requires more than heavy machinery. EDI’s specialists began with extensive root pruning and soil conditioning months before the move. These techniques stimulate the growth of new feeder roots closer to the trunk, thereby strengthening the tree for its transition and increasing its survival potential once replanted.
Hydraulic Lifting and Structural Support
The relocation, scheduled for late 2025, will rely on EDI’s custom-engineered steel frames and hydraulic lifting systems in combination with its patented ArborLift® technology (Patent #US8844449 and Patent #US9497906). The ArborLift® platform distributes weight evenly across the root plate, stabilizing the canopy and minimizing transplant stress during transport. Portions of Old Stagecoach Road will be temporarily closed to ensure safety while the carefully planned route protects both the roadway and the tree itself.
Aftercare and Monitoring
Once replanted, Jolene will enter a two-year aftercare program guided by EDI arborists. The regimen includes irrigation, soil aeration, pest management, and continuous health monitoring. These measures are designed to help the oak acclimate and continue growing in its new park location within Kyle’s Six Creeks subdivision.
Balancing Infrastructure and Environmental Responsibility
The Porter Oak relocation embodies a key challenge facing Texas communities: how to modernize infrastructure while preserving natural and cultural landmarks. Kyle’s decision to relocate rather than remove the tree demonstrates how engineering and environmental science can coexist to achieve sustainable growth.
For Environmental Design, projects like this illustrate the company’s guiding values of solutions, excellence, service, and integrity. EDI’s work ensures that heritage trees remain an integral part of community life, even as cities evolve around them.
Media Attention and Public Fascination
The relocation has captured national attention, highlighting both the technical scale of the project and the community’s emotional investment. NBC DFW and KXAN-TV reported that preparations are already underway, with the move scheduled approximately 90 days before the next phase of the Old Stagecoach Road improvements is set to begin in early 2026.
The story of Jolene has resonated with people across the country because it represents more than a construction project. It is a story of partnership, perseverance, and the value of preserving living history.
The Science Behind Moving Centuries-Old Trees
EDI’s reputation for precision and innovation has been built over decades of successful relocations across North America and beyond. The company’s approach blends geotechnical knowledge, arboricultural science, and advanced engineering. Every move begins with detailed soil analysis and structural modeling, ensuring the survival of even the largest specimens.
From college campuses and botanical gardens to urban development projects, EDI’s proven methods have safeguarded thousands of heritage trees, some weighing over one million pounds. Each project is unique, but the goal is always the same: to give remarkable trees a future rooted in both science and respect.
Preserving Texas Heritage Through Expertise
Since 1977, Environmental Design has been a pioneer in tree preservation and relocation. The company’s projects include the relocation of historic oaks, century-old magnolias, and legacy trees at landmarks across the country. With each project, EDI continues to redefine what is possible in environmental preservation and construction compatibility.
The Kyle relocation reinforces EDI’s mission to preserve living monuments and foster sustainable development. Through expertise, planning, and collaboration, EDI is helping communities preserve their most iconic trees.
Looking Ahead: A Legacy Rooted in Preservation
When Jolene finally settles into her new home later this year, she will symbolize more than endurance. She will represent a partnership between nature, science, and civic vision. The oak’s story is a reminder that with the right expertise, even a 400-year-old tree can continue to grow and inspire future generations.
Thanks to the City of Kyle’s commitment and Environmental Design’s leadership, Jolene’s shade and legacy will continue to shape the community for centuries to come.
Want to learn more about Environmental Design’s expertise in large tree relocation and preservation? Contact our team or explore more of our historic tree relocation projects.
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