The trees in Watson Park have received a temporary stay from the chain saw.

Westar Energy officials on Wednesday agreed to a last-minute request by the city to stop cutting trees in the utility right of way until city commissioners could ask several questions about the project.

Chad Luce, manager of customer and community relations for Westar, said he’ll attend Tuesday’s City Commission meeting to explain why Westar must cut down several trees on the park’s edge.

Luce said he is not optimistic that a solution will be found to save the trees. He said the large, mature trees pose a danger to electrical distribution lines.

The city first confirmed in early December that about 12 trees likely would have to be removed. In late December, city and Westar officials toured the park to determine what trees could be saved.

Commissioners though asked for the delay after hearing some concerns about the operation at their meeting last Tuesday.