Houston tree experts urge residents to save area trees, caution against accidental fires

Sept. 14, 2011 - PRLog -- As Houston and other cities in the state go through record drought, tree professionals say they expect a record number of trees in area parks to die.

Texas has been dry for so long and tree experts are expressing concern about the potential for accidental fires started by residents.

Louis Flory, owner of Ability Tree Experts (http://www.abilitytrees.com) in Kingwood says the potential for accidental fire is great because of the lack of rainfall. He cautions residents need to be extra cautious.

“Everything is dry. There are a lot of dead trees and vegetation around and the potential for fire is great. Texas is under fire threat and we have fires burning in some areas right now so everybody needs to be careful.”

He said the damage to area trees is huge.  “The damage is huge and has already been done. Most of these trees have been without water for so long that even if we get a lot of rain right now, it may be too late to save many of the trees. Thousands of trees have perished in the burning fires. They will be hard to replace. ”

City of Houston officials agree with this assessment. Trees for Houston director Barry Ward said this historic drought is destroying trees in city parks at alarming rates.  Memorial Park is losing thousands of trees weekly and the city has removed 400 dead trees so far with thousands more on the list for removal.

He also cautioned against fires. “If the timber isn’t removed and someone flicks a cigarette butt in the wrong place, 100 acres could be burned down in one day. Could you imagine? A 100-acre wildfire inside the Loop?”

Ward said he expects the city to lose 10% of its 660 million trees in the next 24 months, even if heavy rains were to fall today.

“Most of the damage to the trees has already been done and their root structures have been destroyed. We are trying to save as many trees as we can though, and the city is doing an unusually thorough job of trying to find where to best use their resources.”

Houston Parks and Recreation director Joe Turner says the city is concerned about the dying trees. “It’s always a concern. Everything is dry. There is a lot of deadness in the ground. The grass is dead. There’s always a concern about fire.”

Mr. Flory of Ability Tree Experts said Houston and other Texas cities will have to work very hard to replace dead or damaged trees and it will be very expensive. “The cost will be huge and it will take a while to fully replace them. Residents need to help and water the trees where possible. We all need to help in this regard,” he added.

About Ability Tree Experts

Houston, Texas based Ability Tree Experts is a member of the National Arborist Association. With over 30 years’ experience in tree service, Ability Tree Experts are specialists in complete tree maintenance including tree care, tree trimming, tree removal, tree pruning and planting, tree diseases and pest control, tree fertilizing and cavity work, tree spraying, tree cabling and pre-construction consultation. Go to our website today at http://www.abilitytrees.com for more information.

# # #

Ability Tree Experts is Houston's leading tree service experts. We are insured for your protection. Ability Tree Experts specializes in tree stump grinding, tree removal, tree pruning, tree trimming, winterizing and spring greening among others.