A desperate homeowner sought advice online after a new development threatened the survival of his beloved pecan tree.
In the r/treelaw subreddit, the homeowner explained that a single-family home was demolished to make way for a three-story apartment building, and that developers sent arborists to remove the towering pecan tree to make way for a concrete driveway.
About 20 centimeters of the tree trunk was technically on the neighbor’s property and the team insisted on removing those parts of the trunk.
“They had already cut off several large branches that were hanging over the roof of my property,” the original poster wrote in a comment. “I told them I did not agree to them removing my tree. … They said after they cut off half of the tree, it would start to lean and within four years it would be leaning on my house.”
Other Reddit users advised the OP to contact a lawyer immediately. One suggested that the homeowner may be able to get an injunction to stop work until the matter is resolved. Another pointed out a potentially promising piece of information for the OP’s case.
“Pecan trees are protected in Texas,” the commenter wrote.
The OP didn’t reveal the dimensions of his stunning tree, but according to Good Guys Tree Service, a pecan tree meets the requirements for “heritage status” if it measures at least 24 inches in diameter. Trees deemed dangerous to buildings may be eligible for removal, but arborists still need a permit.
While the condo residents (or future residents) apparently had no say in the destruction of the OP’s pecan tree—a situation that is unfortunately all too familiar to many homeowners—this frustrating dilemma illustrates how development decisions can harm surrounding ecosystems.
Trees help clean the air by converting the climate-warming gas carbon dioxide into oxygen. They also provide shelter and food for many living creatures, including beneficial pollinators.
However, habitat destruction, along with toxic chemical pesticides and the effects of rising global temperatures, is one of the greatest threats to pollinator survival. Promoting and cultivating native species at home can go a long way toward improving environmental health.
The pecan tree, native to Texas, is pollinated by the wind, but it still provides habitat for wildlife such as deer, birds and opossums, according to the Department of Agriculture.
The outcome of the OP’s case is apparently still pending, but heavy fines can sometimes be imposed for unauthorized removal of trees.
“Find an arborist who does tree appraisals and get them to give you an estimate of the tree’s value,” another person suggested. “I would also have someone come out and assess how much removing the tree will affect the value of your property.”
The poster said they would hire an attorney “with experience in land use” to help them evaluate their options.
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