Lake Travis | Westlake Edition • December 2014 360 TREE DECORATING By Kyle Webb The origin of tree decorating along Capital of Texas Hwy. from Spicewood Springs Road to RR 2222 is a mysterious one at best. But self-proclaimed expert and Austin native Amy Pownall, who runs the website www.austintree60.com, says the origins date back to 1988. “The story goes that it was initially one tree decorated in honor of a mother who died of breast cancer,” Pownall said. “For a long time every tree decorated [along the roadway] was an honor tree.” Pownall said she started tracking the trees in 2005, noting when the first one would be decorated each year. The trees were normally decorated in early December, but would sport ornaments earlier and earlier every year, she said. “It really took off about six years ago,” she said. The first decorated tree appeared Nov. 12 in 2013 and Nov. 9 this year, she said. Cali Street hangs an ornament while decorating a tree along Loop 360 on Nov. 29. Her family, which moved to Austin from California, decorated the tree as a family activity. NEWS 17 Photos by Kyle Webb Design by Amy Vanlandingham Cars lined Loop 360 the day after Thanksgiving to decorate holiday trees along the highway. For some families it was the first year of decorating, but for others it was a tradition. Pownall helps organize a cleanup effort each year, she said. She said she began cleaning up after the event about 12 years ago. Nonprofit Keep Austin Beautiful also organizes cleanup crews in January. Despite the potential extra work and the mess decorating trees makes, Pownall said she still would not change a thing. “It’s magical,” she said. “It is so eclectic and so Austin. It’s neat to see how much pride people put into their trees. It is a oneof-a-kind event.” 2222 Spicewood Springs Rd. 360 bridge 360 183 Eric Henneke and his son Nathan run some tinsel along a tree. Eric said he was amazed at how many trees were already decorated along the roadway. MoPac Lake Austin A member of the Street family adjusts the decorations on a tree. The family decorated several trees along the highway. The majority of decorated trees are between Spicewood Springs Road and the Pennybacker bridge, but a few dot the roadway for miles. This tree, decorated to look like a snowman, is one of several themed trees along Loop 360.