Market Square Project to Protect '6 Gorgeous Oak Trees' February 27, 2014 - City of Knoxville crews have started laying in a new paved walkway in Market Square and will be making other landscaping improvements in coming weeks.

The aim is to increase the functionality of the south end of Market Square, cut down on maintenance costs and protect the root systems of the six sawtooth oaks that have been showing some signs of stress.

"We'll be creating a multi-use area that will be beneficial to people and to the trees," said City Urban Forester Kasey Krouse. "This will be a more user-friendly space. It's an extension of what's in Krutch Park - landscaping with a walkway."
Landscaping improvements at Market SquareThe shady spot has proven difficult to maintain over the years. Crews have overseeded and put down new sod 2-3 times a year, but heavy use would habitually kill the grass and require a new round of work. It was also compacting the root systems of the trees.

"These trees are the staple image of Market Square," Krouse said. "These six gorgeous oak trees are worth protecting."

Because City Horticulture crews will be providing the labor, the only costs will be plant and paver stone materials - budgeted to be $6,000 to $8,000.

"We're wanting attractive green space that also prevents wasted and, up until now, unsuccessful maintenance," said Public Service Director David Brace, who added that the regular resodding was both expensive and required keeping people off the new grass for several months out of the year.

The landscaping project is expected to be completed by the end of March, before the busy spring lineup of festivals and Market Square events.