Trees Trees in the front yard trees in the back yard (San Antonio: fit in, house)

[maluminse]

Solid friend so tall and free
swaying and singing with the brush of wind
casting your shadow and pause from the sun
I shudder at your absence and bewilder the cause
empty sky and barren land house heated
cattle brand, scorched all.
-JRE


The cutting down of the trees in your yard. Not the pruning but the cutting down leaving only a trunk.

Call me an elitist but it seems the bane of those not cultured in the usefulness and beauty of the tree engage in this practice.

It seems elementary that an umbrella will keep 100 degree heat off of your car or house or even parking lot.

My mothers next door neighbor has razed a beauitufl and huge tree from her yard. Exposing her home to direct heat, her yard and making the overall appearance drab.

Is it something that everyone does in other countries? I dont understand.

[ShaneSA]

I cut down 2 trees in the front of a building I own. They were 30 year old ( I counted the rings) Arizona Ash. they aere at the end of thier life and had to be cut down before they fell down and maybe fall onto the building. I'm going to replace them with 3 or 4 other trees. Sometimes it doesn't make sense when you don;t know the details.

[The Man in SATX]

It seems to me to be logical to cut down trees that will fall down and take out some property.. although you may seem to think that they are good for shade and all.. but were those trees at the end of their life cycle? Maybe??? Maybe it was a financial decision for the owner of those trees. A house is always more important then some trees that may fall onto your house.. ever thought of it that way?

[wCat]

It's tragic losing good trees, but for the life of me, I can't see the stretch of your mother's neighbors action was a reflection on the whole world (ie other countries).

The others make good points as well.

[majormadmax]

You're not an elitist, what you are is narrow-minded. You failed to consider that there may have been legitimate reason for the property owner to remove the trees. Did you even bother to ask why it was done, or are you simply accusing your neighbor without the facts??

Even if it was simply by choice, it is their right. It's been said a million times before, the best way to control something on a piece of property is to own it!

[Chaka]

I love trees. LOVE THEM. I cringe when they go. But all trees don't last forever and they don't always fit in the place they're located. Some end up growing too close to a house, some diseased, some at risk of falling in a storm.

Our yard was an overgrown jungle with a lot of "weed" trees. Some of those were pretty to be sure, but not worthwhile to keep. It was hard to tear them out,but out they went. We still have a yard full of mature trees, so it's not a problem, but yes, some had to go.

I am considering cutting down what I think is a lovely chinaberry. It's quite large, beautiful flowers, lots of shade. But. It's an invasive species. Shouldn't be here. I can't bring myself to cut it down just yet, but it will come out sooner or later.

[Dopo]

I'm glad you are talking about this, because I've thought about "trees" for a while.

I was reading a newspaper from Saltillo on the internet (North Mexico, somewhat close to Texas) and I was surprised to read that they have a "reforestation program".
That got me thinking...
is there a reforestation program in San Antonio?
If there's one... Why haven't I heard about it?

[Chaka]

Originally Posted by Dopo

I'm glad you are talking about this, because I've thought about "trees" for a while.

I was reading a newspaper from Saltillo on the internet (North Mexico, somewhat close to Texas) and I was surprised to read that they have a "reforestation program".
That got me thinking...
is there a reforestation program in San Antonio?
If there's one... Why haven't I heard about it?

I wouldn't call it a reforestation program but there is a city program to plant trees in various areas. In our neighborhood we do have lots of mature trees but not along the major streets. City paid for the trees, a local arborist planted them, and locals take turns maintaining them (with city paid water). I believe the funds to do this are part of a grant program available to the whole city, but maybe it's just revitalization areas. I can't recall what the program is called.

[majormadmax]

San Antonio could have a "reforestation program" by not allowed developers to conduct a "scorched earth" approach to housing developments. The trend in most communities appears to be to knock down almost every tree in sight, then plant some scrawny replacement and charge the buyer for it! Heck, my builder had the gall to charge me for the trees that were already on the property when the house was built (not uncommon). So in reality, I had to pay them not to knock down existing trees!

Property owners knocking down the occasional tree is not the issue here, it is the massive removal of large swathes of trees that is the problem!

[banker]

I once had to cut down a tree that was rotting and splitting about seven feet up. I hated losing the shade in my front yard as the tree was about 25 years old...but the protection of my house was more important.