A portion of a large tree fell at the corner of E. Sixth St. and N. Water St . on Aug. 19 in Fort Stockton, and the affected intersection has remained blocked off for public safety.

“There was a high chance that the other part of the tree was going to fall, so we reacted to block off the street as soon as possible,” explained City Assistant Public Works Director Luis Guerra, who also holds the title of Street Department Supervisor.

The giant live oak belongs to the Pecos County Stank Bank and is estimated to be over 50 years old. The tree was not struck by lightning, but naturally split down the middle due to rot. No one was harmed as half of the tree came crashing down onto the freshly cut grass.

Upon discovery of the tree, Pecos County Maintenance Supervisor Daniel Salamanca called the city to have barricades put in place. Shortly after Guerra and Salamanca secured the area, the PCSB maintenance team arrived to weigh out their options.

“We got the call while we were out at the landfill,” said PCSB Lead Maintenance Albert Gomez. “What’s kind of crazy is that we had just mowed the grass underneath that tree around 10 a.m. The tree fell over right after lunch, so it’s a good thing we mowed in the morning.”

Gomez says the bank initially wanted to salvage the tree if possible. Currently, only the fallen portion has been chopped and trimmed down. According to Gomez, the bank plans to keep the remainder of the tree in the ground. The large yellow barricades will be removed as soon as the bank and city conclude the area is safe.