Plumbing 
Jacob West|Bartlett Tree Experts
Representatives from Bartlett Tree Experts and Texas A&M Forest Service gather around the Rio Frio Oak, which was named state champion Live Oak in 1988 and national champion in 1989.
The following column was written by Gabriela Steinkamp, administrative assistant for Bartlett Tree Experts of San Antonio.
Hundreds of years ago, a tiny oak sprouted less than a mile from what would later be known as the Frio River in Texas.
The beautiful live oak grew strong over the years, surviving and thriving through droughts, storms, nearby settlements and flocking tourists. Now one of the largest live oaks in all of Texas, the tree has a circumference of approximately 295 inches, a height of 52 feet, and a canopy spread of nearly 100 feet. It was named State Champion Live Oak in 1988 and National Champion in 1989. Though it has since been dethroned by another tree, the Rio Frio Oak remains a magnificent, local landmark with a storied history.
Settlers began developing the town of Rio Frio around this tree just after the American Civil War ended. The Lombardy Trading Company constructed an irrigation ditch nearby in 1866, which remains one of the oldest still in operation today in Texas. Due to its large size, the oak became a bearing point for building the entire town. The tree’s broad branches shaded the town’s first schoolhouse, which also served as a community center that hosted elections, religious services, court and various social gatherings.
In 1929, Mr. Leo L. Slover bought the property on which the oak lived. According to a newspaper article from the time announcing the sale, a house and store on site were also thrown in “for good measure.” Three generations later, the same family owns and cares for the property, headed by matriarch Judy Newman. Over 20 years ago, Judy connected with Mark Duff from the Texas Forest Service to understand how to best care for the Rio Frio Landmark Oak.
Mark knew the family would need the best team to provide any pruning and plant health care necessary to maintain the strength and safety of the tree for years to come. He enlisted Bartlett Tree Experts, and we’ve been helping to care for the tree since. Every few years, arborist representatives from the San Antonio office and an elite crew of climbers volunteer their time with the Texas Forest Service to work on the oak. Services have included pruning, bracing, fertilization, deadwood removal and spreading mulch.
Our most recent visit occurred this past February.
A bright day with clear skies and 68-degree weather presented the perfect opportunity for some of our team to get up in that oak. San Antonio arborist crew leaders Chris Maciel, Javier Rivas, Gustavo Rodriguez and Antonio Tovar, worked safely and efficiently to deadwood the tree and prune it away from the roof of the house. Arborist representatives Bobby Hearne and Jacob West along with Mark Kroeze, urban forester from the Texas Forest Service Urban Forester, provided support on the ground, dragging cuts to the chipper. Mark Duff from the Texas Forest Service and arborist representative Tony Villanueva were also on site offering support and supervision.
Throughout the day, neighbors came by to admire the tree and reminisce about growing up in Rio Frio. They told stories about the general store next to the big oak that closed in 1965. They remembered the family that lived in the home under the tree and the bed and breakfast they had once opened next door. It was amazing to hear how this tree has always been part of the fabric of the community.
After our crew completed the tree care, Judy and her family treated us to a barbecue lunch on the property with homemade bread, brisket, salads, corn, cookies, cake and pie. It was the perfect ending to a rewarding day and a way to create new memories under the canopy of this legendary oak tree.
