Q&A: Houston Master Arborist gives guidance on when to consider cutting or trimming trees
Over the past few weeks, we’ve seen extensive tree damage to homes and businesses in our area. On May 16th a mother of 4 in southeast Houston was killed when a tree fell on her car.so, that got us thinking about tree safety and when it might be appropriate to cut or trim your trees. KPRC 2 met up with Master Arborist Brad Phillips the owner of ArborTrue for a “Q&A” type interview: WHATS YOUR NUMBER ONE PIECE OF ADVICE WHEN IT COMES TO TREE SAFETY?Hire an arborist certified by the ISA (International Society of Arboriculture). Attempting to perform tree work is a great way to end up in the emergency room. It’s the most dangerous industry in North America.WHEN MIGHT WE CONSIDER TRIMMING OR CHOPPING DOWN A TREE ? Remove a dead or dangerous tree any time of year and as soon as you notice it. Waiting to remove a dead tree is extremely dangerous. Trees in warm humid climates do not stand very long after death. Regular maintenance pruning can be done any time of year on most trees. For flowering trees, like Magnolias, wait until the flowers are done, in fall. Pine trees are best pruned in winter or in summer, avoid spring and fall pruning as it will make sap run down the tree and attract pine bark beetles. For heavy pruning (removal of more than 25% of the canopy) wait until winter to reduce the stress.WHAT ARE THE A FEW THINGS TO LOOK OUT FOR?Look for fungal growth around the base of the tree, on the trunk. Don’t be bothered with mushrooms growing in the grass, those are usually beneficial to the tree. Never use a weed killer or weed and feed if you have trees. IS THERE ANYTHING YOU SHOULD BE INSPECTING THE TREE/LIMBS OR BRANCHES FOR?Look for “U” shaped branch unions, we like strong “U” shaped unions. “V” shaped branch unions are likely to break.Look for branches that are crossing over and rubbing on each other. That creates weakness in the crown (canopy) of the tree.Look for dead limbs to remove, especially those that are large enough to cause injury or damage when they fall.Look for Mistletoe in winter, it is parasitic and will kill the tree over time.IS THERE ANY TYPE OF TREE OR TREES WE SHOULD BE CONCERED ABOUT?Post Oaks have been dying off in Texas since the drought of 2011 due to constantly changing weather patterns. Slow growing trees don’t adjust well to rapid change. Arizona Ash, Water Oak, Laurel Oak, Willow Oak only live about 50 years and die rather suddenly. In the last quadrant of life they shed large heavy limbs that pose a serious risk to property and health. Silver Maples, they are soft and they break easily in Houston winds. They are also highly susceptible to various diseases.Italian Cypress, not much of a risk to property but they are a poor choice for the Houston heat and humidity. IS THE WEATHER THE BIGGEST CONTRIBUTOR TO TREES/BRANCHES FALLING? There are many causes co-occurring and most of them are probably caused by climate change. The increasing summer temperatures followed by record low winters, floods and droughts are making tree safety and health challenging. Fewer and fewer tree species are able to fight the insect and disease pressures presented with the whacky and extreme weather conditions. WHEN WE ARE CONSIDERING TREE TRIMMING SERVICES, WHAT SHOULD A CONSUMER TAKE INTO ACCOUNT?Hire an ISA Certified Arborist and read the online reviews. Look for a company that happily shares its address publicly and has more than 20 reviews. IF YOU SEE SIGNS THAT YOUR NEIGHBORS TREE IS POISING A DANGER TO YOUR HOME OR OTHERS IS THERE ANYTHING YOU CAN DO?Hire an ISA Certified Arborist to visit with you and your neighbor. They can help develop a cohesive plan to mitigate or remove the risk. If that is not an option, a certified letter can be sent to the neighbor informing them of the risk. That will usually produce action. In the event the tree fails and damages property after notice has been received and “reasonable” time to rectify has expired, liability for the tree damage will be placed on the notified owner of the tree. Remember, if any part of the tree trunk is on both properties, the tree is owned 50/50 by both parties.
SE Houston family says rotting, city-owned tree they continuously warned officials about came crashing through roof
A massive tree branch pierced right through the roof of a southeast side home in the Glenbrook neighborhood, causing massive damage. The homeowners say the city knew the tree was rotting for nearly a year, but did nothing about it.
Following community concern, Congresswoman gets temporary delay in TxDOT project affecting Houston’s Third Ward
Following concerns from community members in the Third Ward, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee announced Friday that TxDOT has agreed to temporarily delay the project to allow for the community to receive more information about it and how it will impact traffic.
Balloon release held for mother and unborn baby shot, killed at birthday celebration at southeast Houston park
At Margaret Jenkins Park, where the barrage of gunfire abruptly ended a birthday celebration Saturday morning, loved ones of 21-year-old Autumn La’shay Vallian who was killed, along with her unborn son Ameris, returned to celebrate their lives.
VIDEO: Homeless man sleeping in vehicle in SE Houston assaulted after telling robbery suspects he didn’t have money
Crime Stoppers of Houston and the Houston Police Department’s Robbery Division needs the public’s assistance identifying the suspects they said are responsible for assaulting a homeless man sleeping in his vehicle.
2 security guards among 4 shot following concert in SE Houston, police say
Investigators had their hands full early Saturday trying to determine what led to multiple people, including two security guards, being shot following a private concert in the southeast side of town, according to Houston police.
Take a good look: Low-budget thief violently punches, kicks woman outside SE store to steal her $20, police say
The Houston Police Department’s Robbery Division needs your help identifying a seemingly heartless crook that beat an innocent woman outside a southeast Houston convenience store, robbing her of $20. The violent crime was captured on video, which has been released to the public.
‘It doesn’t look good’: Foul play suspected in disappearance of 2-year-old child of man accused in common-law wife’s choking death: HPD
Houston police and Texas Equusearch are searching for a missing 2-year-old child who is the daughter of the man accused of choking his common-law wife to death on Tuesday.
Caught on camera: Bandana-wearing suspect calmly walks into cellphone store in SE Houston, pulls gun, robs clerk
The Houston Police Department’s Robbery Division needs the public’s assistance identifying the suspect who robbed an employee at gunpoint at a cellphone store in southeast Houston. The incident was caught on camera and released to the public.
Donations needed: Clear Creek ISD to assist students, families affected by destructive apartment fire near Webster
Just a day after classes begun, several students and their families at Clear Creek ISD have been displaced from their homes after a large apartment fire destroyed approximately 12 units Thursday afternoon near the Webster area.
Mother accused of shooting kids’ father after he showed up with current girlfriend during child drop-off charged in incident: HPD
A mother, upset that the father of their two children had his current girlfriend in the car during their arranged child drop off, shot the father Sunday night, according to Houston police.
Groundbreaking ceremony held for new American Legion Post 490
Big changes are happening for the American Legion Post 490 on Galveston Road near Ellington Airport, in Southeast Houston. The post caught on fire last year and since then the Commander and people in the community have been working on a new plan.
Business owner in southeast Houston distributes 1,000 turkeys to people in need day before Thanksgiving
Southeast Houston – A business owner in southeast Houston distributed 1,000 turkeys to people in need the day before Thanksgiving. The owner of Compean Funeral home, Gregory Compean, transformed the parking lot of his business into a food distribution site on Wednesday morning. He and volunteers helped distribute 1,000 turkeys in about an hour and a half. The owner said that he felt compelled to help those who are having a difficult time during the pandemic. “Its truly a blessing,” said another recipient, Ella Jones.
What’s behind Houston, Harris County’s rising homicide rates?
HOUSTON – According to Houston police Chief Art Acevedo, there were 286 murders as of the first week of October. “When you think about people committing murder and going out on bond after bond and committing more violent crimes,” Acevedo said. The family is from Dallas and has been to Houston frequently, scouring the neighborhood surrounding the murder for answers. Fueling a growing backlogThe rise in murders also helps fuel a backlog in Harris County criminal court. Devastation by Hurricane Harvey and the COVID-19 have created a large backlog in the criminal justice system that will take years to clear out.
Southeast Houston residents applaud city’s efforts to curb spike in violent crimes
HOUSTON – Southeast Houston considered by residents as a hotspot for crime and city leaders agree. On Monday, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, along with police Chief Art Acevedo listed the southeast side as one of six hotspots that are fueling an 11% increase in the city’s violent crime. The city and southeast residents all agree on the driving factor. “So they take it out on other families or other family members.”Along with southeast Houston, the Westside, South Gessner, North Belt, South Central and Midwest neighborhoods also are listed as hotspots. HPD says this crime reduction program will not hamper their efforts to combat crime in other parts of the city.
Houston’s East End Street Fest goes virtual
HOUSTON – Houston’s East End Street Fest happens on Saturday, October 17 with a virtual event. The three-hour virtual festival will include various Latino artists such as headliner Zenteno Spirit and their mix of jazz, Latin, funked-up fusion, and rock and roll honoring an East End legend, Norma Zenteno. The East End Street Fest is happy to welcome Zenteno Spirit and their mix of jazz, Latin, funked-up fusion, and rock and... Posted by East End Street Fest on Sunday, October 11, 2020Other artists include David de la Garza, a four-time Grammy award-winner, who in 1989 joined the internationally known Tejano band, La Mafia. 🕺The East End Street Fest is back with a mix of colorful dance performances by Ambassadors International Ballet... Posted by East End Street Fest on Friday, October 2, 2020Immediately following the virtual festival, the East End Houston Cultural District will debut a short documentary on the life, music, and legacy of Roberto and Norma Zenteno and their family. All you have to do is log on to www.eastendstreetfest.com and watch from the comfort of your home.
3 people dead, one in critical condition after shooting at apartment complex in SE Houston, police say
HOUSTON – Police are searching for two men after three people were found dead in an apartment building after a shooting early Friday morning on Houston’s southeast side. Police said the incident happened in the 4700 block of Ward at Grand Park Terrace Apartments at around 1:09 a.m. Shooting: 4700 Ward. #hounews CC8 — Houston Police (@houstonpolice) April 24, 2020According to officers, they located four people that were shot in an upstairs apartment. The men were wearing dark clothing and fled the scene on foot, police say, and possibly left in a nearby waiting vehicle.
Girl, 7, shot in stomach in southeast Houston, police say
HOUSTON – A 7-year-old girl was taken to a local trauma center after being shot in the stomach Tuesday night in southeast Houston, police said. The shooting was reported at 9:04 p.m. in the 8500 block of Broadway Street. Police say initial investigations indicate a man was being robbed by two suspects when one of the suspects began firing at the man. A bullet fragment from the gunfire struck the girl who was in the parking lot of a nearby laundromat, police say. The suspects fled in a grey Chevy Malibu, police say, and no arrests have been made so far.
Intoxicated driver who crashed into fire station in SE Houston identified, police say
HOUSTON – Police said an intoxicated driver who drove straight into Fire Station 18 in southeast Houston Wednesday night has been identified. According to officials, a black car driven by 38-year-old Christopher Wayne Rogers came speeding into the fire station and slammed into the front of the building. Assistant chief Ruy Lozano said the vehicle hit the lounge area where firefighters were hanging out right before the accident. We don’t know exactly where he was, but we know he sustained an injury to his head,” Lozano said. City of Houston workers have checked out the damage left behind at Fire Station 18 in southeast Houston.
Couple found dead from carbon monoxide poisoning in southeast Houston home identified, family says
HOUSTON – A husband and wife who were found dead from carbon monoxide poisoning at a southeast Houston residence Wednesday night have been identified. The Houston Fire Department said they responded to a call at the residence located in the 3000 block of Burkett Street at around 9:30 p.m. When fire officials arrived at the scene, they said they found the man and woman, who have been identified as Louis McDonald and Mary Helen Williams, dead inside the home. According to officers, they believe the man and woman died from carbon monoxide poisoning from the generator. Arthur Williams told KPRC 2 that Mary, who is in her 60s, is his mother and Louis is his stepfather.
Woman found naked, beaten in SE Houston apartment
HOUSTON – An investigation is underway after a woman was found naked and beaten inside an apartment in southeast Houston. According to authorities, another person had a meeting scheduled with the woman but had not heard from her and got worried. That person went to the woman’s apartment and called her several times, but no one answered, police said. Officers said at that point the witness asked the apartment manager to check on the woman. That is when they went into the unit and found the woman naked and beaten, authorities said.
Man shot multiple times while on the way to get tacos
HOUSTON – A man is in a trauma center after police said he was shot while on a late-night food run. The shooting happened around 11 p.m. Tuesday on near the Gulf Freeway and Telephone Road in southeast Houston, authorities said. Police said three men and a woman were on their way to get tacos when someone in another vehicle opened fire on them. One of the men inside the car had been shot five times and he was rushed to a hospital, where he remains in critical but stable condition, police said. The woman in the car was checked for minor injuries but she was not transported to a hospital.
Spencer Solves It: Holiday help for family of 6 struggling financially
HOUSTON – Diamonique Sloan, her husband, Cordero, and their four small children walk down a lonely road in Southeast Houston. The struggle continues for Diamonique, Cordero, 4-year-old Cordero Jr., 3-year-old Jaylon, 2-year-old Elijah and Lyric, just 4 months old. The clip wasn't even on the gun, but there was a bullet in the chamber and he never knew it,” Diamonique Sloan said. Diamonique and Cordero Sr. never asked for help. Now, it’s the moment for giving, as Hartley presented Diamonique and Cordero Sr. with two Visa gift cards for a total of $1,000.