The Blue Trees

The art is located on the northeast and southwest sides of the cloverleaf interchange at Waugh/​Memorial. The purpose of the blue trees public art installation was «to start a discussion about global deforestation.» I don’t know how many people are discussing this, but I know lots of people are looking at the trees. So maybe they will start discussing it. So… success?
Passing by, I’ve seen countless individuals, families, picnics, photo shoots, and even what looked liked someone sword fighting between the trees. I’m actually surprised (a good surprise) by the number of people I’ve seen. The trees have been blue for about six months. I’ve walked, ran, and drove near and by the trees for months, but failed miserably at visiting them. Now on my first visit, months after the painting, the trees are still very blue.
The trees are planted/​positioned like a horseshoe, so depending on your direction, it will seem like you are completely immersed in blue. I suppose it can also be relaxing since the trees block the sounds of the cars racing down Memorial Drive Speedway. Up close, the blue is bright, very bright. Don’t put your face too close though, because the color comes off very easily.
Hurry and visit before the paint goes away. Hopefully the trees last a lot longer than the paint.

Houston doesn’t get enough cred for its culture. The blue trees are amazing! If you live in the loop and haven’t checked this FREE activity out please go ASAP! I went back when it was first installed before the trees were blooming and it was incredible. Just went this last weekend and the crêpe myrtles are going nuts blooming and the contrast of the pink flowers atop the blue trunks is really something you have to see for yourself. It’s a fun afternoon date or a solitary trip for a little blue-​inspired peace and quiet. Either way, definitely worth some pictures at this unique art installation right here in the heart of Houston.

Since this is Pride Month, I can tell you that I’m the proud owner of an alternative lifestyle (whatever that means). Anyway, my interpretation of «alternative» really isn’t that wild. I like funky oddball things to go with my plain vanilla, sensible shoes, common sense, run-​of-​the-​mill life. Can I add any more mainstream phrases?
So, when I spotted the reviews for The Blue Trees, I had to restrain myself from over-​exuberance. Why, you ask? Well, take two stands of crêpe myrtles along busy Inside the Loop (ITL) Memorial Drive, apply soluble non-​toxic blue paint to their trunks, and enjoy. Easy, odd, free, picturesque, and non-​permanent: a great combination of quirky but harmless.
The artist enlisted a bus worth of schoolchildren to help apply the paint back in March. Projected to last 6 months, it will eventually wash off but I am happy to report that, as of yesterday, the paint was still going strong. This will be music to members of Procrastinators Anonymous. But, hurry up and get out there since it won’t be there forever.
Want to check it out but are scared to visit an unfamiliar area? Here’s your Pocahontas-​approved tips:
1. Parking will take some finesse. Free parking in the small lot at Spotts Park (max 20 cars), walk 1,000 feet, crossing a busy road, to the closer stand for your Glamour Shots session among the blue trees.
2. The second stand is more of a double horseshoe shape and has a bench in the middle. If you park in the Spotts Park lot, you’ll have to cross very busy Memorial Drive via the Waugh Drive bridge. Or, park on the south side somewhere and walk to it.
3. Needless to say, it is summertime and very hot. Pick your poison: go during a hot daytime for visibility’s sake or close to dusk when drivers may find it harder to see you but slightly cooler.
Once you get there, I’d like to encourage you to really work it and let loose — I mean, no one is going to know you other than who you brought. Six Choir Guy was my willing conspirator and we took some really goofy photos. Don’t bother looking for them on my profile — I had enough sense to only post the least goofy ones.

Looking for a fun afternoon activity to do for the anniversary, I turned the wife on to the «Blue Trees» in Houston. Special thanks to David N. and his mad photography skills. I had already sold her by uttering the word «blue» and «trees» together but David’s Unilocal photos surely helped my cause.
If your significant other loves creativity and outdoors the way mine does, why not put the two together? Head over to Waugh at Memorial and park in the limited Stotts Park parking lot. The walk from there is literally three and a half minutes, though in Houston heat I guess that could feel like half a lifetime.
Once you get down to the trees, shade plays an important role in keeping you alive. Also, don’t forget to take pictures.
The paint, like your love for your significant other (but not mine, of course!) is only temporary. Surely there’s a metaphor in there somewhere. Take as many dates as you can before rain and time wipe the blue from the green.

Blue trees… so cool! I love installation art and that’s what this is essentially. The blue trees were the idea of one but painted by a hoard of volunteers. The trees are predicted to stay blue for about 6 months.
There are two sets of blue trees right across the road from each other, Memorial at Waugh. The first set you can easily see from Spotts park (where we parked to walk to them). They are in a horseshoe shape. Then there is another set if you walk a little further toward Allen Parkway. Those are in the shape to two horseshoes facing each other. Both are cool photos ops and nice places to hang out with a picnic or walk/​ride a bike through.
I love little quirky things in our city like this, and the more the merrier!
Link to an article about the blue trees:
Go see them before they wash away!

You can also park on Allen Parkway and Studemont, cross over the new pedestrian bridge, hang a left and you’re there.
…or, park on Memorial and Waugh.

What can I say? Great minds think a like. After seeing a few posts online about this new art installation I just had to check it out. After seeing a few Unilocaler’s profile pictures changing to the blue trees I was determined to sneak in the FTR but I was not so slick. Either way, I’m glad there is a review out there now. So wondering minds can actually find this place. I must say there is NO parking anywhere near. So you’re either going to be walking/​biking, or parking and then walking. The closest lot that I could find would be near Spotts Park. I visited AFTER the huge rain and the color was still strong, so hurry up and visit it before the color fades, don’t touch the trees as the stuff does rub off, so if you plan on wearing whites don’t lean on it either.