ALAMOGORDO, N.M. (AP) Alamogordo may replace the cottonwood trees in Alameda Park with a drought-resistant variety of tree. The Alamogordo Daily News reports that replacing the cottonwoods with a different type of tree is an option being considered for beautifying White Sands Boulevard, a main thoroughfare in the southern New Mexico city.

Alameda Park is lined with the cottonwoods, and a festival celebrating them is held there each year.

Former Mayor Steve Brockett says the non-native cottonwoods require a lot of scarce water and haven't done well with irrigation from effluent water. Brockett is chairman of the White Sands Beautification Committee.