Is it permitted to cut/collect fallen trees after storm? (Houston: living, property)

[behtypa]

I am wondering if it is OK to cut trees, fallen to the road/blocking the road after the storm/hurricane? If it is, can one collect it (i.e. for carving, firewood)?

[elnina]

Normally the City clears the streets and alleys from fallen trees, but I guess it is ok to cut them for personal use, so long you tidy up the spot a bit, and do not leave even a bigger mess there. Probably less populated places are better - no one around to complain about you
Not sure about the "whose property is this" question...
You might want to call the City about that.

http://www.houstontx.gov/solidwaste/press-20080915.html

http://www.houstontx.gov/solidwaste/treewaste.html

[behtypa]

Say, you a driving up the street, any street. And you happen to have a chainsaw in the trunk. Would this be OK to cut a tree fallen on a public road?

Originally Posted by elnina

Normally the City clears the streets and alleys from fallen trees, but I guess it is ok to cut them for personal use, so long you tidy up the spot a bit, and do not leave even a bigger mess there. Probably less populated places are better - no one around to complain about you
Not sure about the "whose property is this" question...
You might want to call the City about that.

City of Houston eGovernment Center

Tree Waste and Junk Waste

[elnina]

^^^ the tree on the public street can still be someones property...
You might want to ask the owner first.

[Txgal33]

I had a tree you could have had!! Paid $160 to have it taken away!

[mikeyyc]

After Ike, if you had a chainsaw and a pickup, you could have made an awfully good living just collecting wood that you are selling back to everyone now with a smoker.

[behtypa]

Originally Posted by Txgal33

I had a tree you could have had!! Paid $160 to have it taken away!

Thank you. The question is more hypothetical than practical. Just wondering if one can cut his way through the streets after hurricanes.

[Txgal33]

Originally Posted by behtypa

Thank you. The question is more hypothetical than practical. Just wondering if one can cut his way through the streets after hurricanes.

Of course you could. You did not pose the question as such though. You made it sound as if you were out hunting down trees for fire wood or a hobby.

[behtypa]

Originally Posted by Txgal33

Of course you could. You did not pose the question as such though. You made it sound as if you were out hunting down trees for fire wood or a hobby.

It can be both, actually. )