Rules for Cutting Down\Trimming Tree's? (Austin, Live Oak: HOA, house, live in)

[Jimbo43]

Hello,

We live in the Bee Cave area and bought a house that the previous owners had foolishly planted way to many tree's in the back yard. Some are growing into each other, some were never pruned properly and at some point could cause other issues, and some are growing to large and will eventually take away our lovely Hill Country views. I have seen this many times when new owners plant saplings to close together and never think of the consequences 10-15 yrs down the road. They are a mix of Live Oaks, Cedars, Crape Myrtle's, etc. Do we have the liberty to decide the best way to tackle this issue or do we have to go through an arborist to get approval to remove anything? We do have an HOA to contend with also but they are pretty tame. Will handle that intelligently though. Will try and preserve most tree's anyway. Just curious on city rules\reg's?

[Trainwreck20]

Area you in the COA? Or in Bee Cave? I don't know the rules in complete detail and it is always best to get it straight from the horses mouth, but you need to know which horse to go to .

Anyway, it is unlikely that anything but (possibly) the oaks will have any requirements. If you are pruning, I THINK the pruning season for oaks is July thru January (to avoid oak wilt), but confirm that, as well.

[scm53]

Originally Posted by Trainwreck20

If you are pruning, I THINK the pruning season for oaks is July thru January (to avoid oak wilt), but confirm that, as well.

Avoid February 1 to June 30, per Oak Wilt Information Project.

If you are in Lakeway, might call the City Forester, Carrie Burns, at (512) 608-9722.

[G Grasshopper]

I use Adam's Apple tree service every year for trimming, and I have had them remove 3 trees as well. They do a great job and are reasonable. My experience with removing a crepe myrtle has been miserable, in that they will sprout back from any little piece of root in the soil, even very deep ones. Most other trees seem easier to remove, in that they are gone when they are removed. And yes, I understand people over-planting trees. My small yard was a mass of tall trees when we came here, and I have been working these 3 years, and finally am getting a reasonable back yard with a few healthy trees.

[petro]

Protected trees are defined as follows and require a permit to remove.

The removal of or impact to any tree 60 inches in circumference and larger (measured at 4.5 feet above the ground). Sixty inches in circumference is equivalent to 19 inches in diameter. Trees smaller than 60 inches in circumference are not regulated. Protected size trees that are dead and/or hazardous also require a permit

City Arborist | Planning | AustinTexas.gov - The Official Website of the City of Austin

If your trees are smaller than this, they do not require a permit.

[Jimbo43]

Our zip is 78738 and city is Austin. We live in the Lakepointe Area. The large ones we have we will try and keep anyway. Small ones are coming out. Thanks for the advice.