Tree dedication ceremony at White Rock Hills Park on Aug. 11, 2021. Photo by Renee Umsted.

Atmos Energy, Texas Trees Foundation and Texas 811 hosted a tree dedication ceremony Wednesday at White Rock Hills Park to mark Safe Digging Day.

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About 50 trees will be planted Nov. 6 at the park on Highland Road to increase tree canopy in Dallas and prevent urban heat.

“We just passed our forestation plan, and this will go a long way in getting those trees back that we lost during storms,” said District 9 City Councilwoman Paula Blackmon.

The ceremony also encouraged neighbors to call 811 at least two days before digging or planting trees. Penalties for digging up utility lines can range from $1,000 to $25,000. Additional infractions can double or triple those fines.

Referring to 811 before digging can reduce the chances of damaging a line to less than 1%, according to Chris Stovall, the president and CEO of Texas 811.

“Improving our canopy is so important,” said Maria Hasbany, the District 9 appointee to the Dallas Park & Recreation Board.