JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas – -- Tree maintenance and removal efforts will soon begin at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph. The work is part of an ongoing initiative to enhance resident safety and preserve the operational readiness of the 12th Flying Training Wing.
According to the 12th FTW, bird activity around the base has posed a persistent hazard for more than two decades.
“Birds and planes do not mix well, especially during takeoffs and landings,” said Col. Peter Lee, 12th Flying Training Wing commander. “By properly maintaining the tree line around our flight paths, we reduce the likelihood of bird strikes and improve the safety of our pilots and aircraft.”
According to a fact sheet published in 2023, thousands of trees were planted at Randolph in the 1920s as part of the base’s designation as a “Tree City USA.” While the mature tree canopy adds to the base’s charm and livability, it also creates an attractive habitat for birds that live, feed and fly dangerously close to active runways.
In 2022 alone, bird strikes caused more than $2.2 million in damage to aircraft at JBSA-Randolph, according to the 12th FTW. Beyond the safety risk, those incidents also placed a significant burden on maintenance crews tasked with repairing the damage.
To help address the issue, the 502d Civil Engineer Squadron is overseeing a phased tree management plan that includes trimming overgrown branches, removing hazardous or dying trees, and limiting potential bird nesting near flight paths.
The first phase of the management plan included marking trees with ribbons.
According to Kathe Masch, 502d Civil Engineer Squadron contracting chief, each color has a specific meaning: Orange indicates trees scheduled for removal. Pink marks diseased or dying trees. Green identifies trees that will be trimmed only, and blue indicates trees currently protected due to active bird nesting under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
Masch explained that trees marked blue will not be disturbed until after Sept. 1, when the legal nesting protection window ends. Work on other marked trees will proceed in the coming weeks, with contracted crews conducting trimming and removal in phases.
Residents are asked not to remove any ribbons or markings.
“Please do not remove the ribbons. This will only delay the progress we’re making,” Masch said. “We appreciate the community’s patience and cooperation as this important work continues.”
In addition to reducing bird strike risk, removing overgrown or dead trees helps prevent damage to base infrastructure and improves safety along roads and walkways.
Some areas of the base may see temporary disruptions during the project, including access restrictions or requests to move vehicles and personal property.
“This work is part of our routine efforts to keep the base well-maintained and mission-ready,” said Brent Larson, 802d CES installation management flight chief. “Proactive tree trimming helps support the flying mission, prevents future issues and ensures a safe, functional environment for everyone on base.”
For questions or updates regarding tree maintenance, residents can contact the Military Housing Office at 210-652-1840.