Beginning Monday, June 2, The Woodlands will be closed to visitors until 4 p.m. through June 5 due to tree maintenance. The closure is necessary to keep visitors and workers safe as high-risk trees are removed from high-traffic areas.

Due to this critical work, the Woodlands gates will open at 4 p.m. daily and close at dusk from Monday, June 2 through Thursday, June 5.

Storms and insects, such as the emerald ash borer, have taken their toll on many Woodlands’ trees in recent years. To mitigate risk to visitors and make room for replacement plantings, 20 high-risk trees will be removed next week, and three more will be pruned and preserved as wildlife snags.

As this work is expensive, The Woodlands initially applied for a Tree Forward grant supported by Philadelphia’s Inflation Reduction Act & USDA’s Urban and Community Forestry program award. Due to uncertainty around continued federal funding, no funds were awarded. However, thanks to the support from Philly Tree Plan partners, the proposal received funding from the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS).

Replacement planting is expected to take place this fall. The Woodlands staff are planning to plant 30 new trees of diverse species along the perimeter.