As promised in our last update, today we are releasing the independent arborist report from Matt Latham, a member of the American Society of Consulting Arborists.  https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.asca-consultants.org/resource/resmgr/whitepaper_seriers/Who_Are_Consulting_Arborists.pdf  

The report can be accessed on our website www.SaveMontroseLiveOaks.com

Mr. Latham is one of only two arborists in Houston with the certifications and skills needed to be a member of this elite group. The longtime head arborist for the New York Botanic Gardens, who lectures on the importance of cities preserving their mature trees, spent an hour consulting to one of our members and recommended engaging ACSA.  Upon learning about the proposed TIRZ development of Montrose Blvd, Mr. Latham immediately took on this project on with no committed funding because he was so concerned by what was being planned and the inaccurate information about the trees being reported. 

Please read the report and pay special attention to the following findings:

-       HEALTH OF PHASE 1 TREES CONFIRMED:  The large majority of the 57 trees planned to be removed in Phase 1 were considered healthy, in spite of being stressed by the extreme drought and heatwave of the summer of 2023.  If the sidewalk design were modified, most of the trees coming down in Phase 1 would continue to grow and thrive where they are planted. 

Mr. Latham concludes his report saying: “I therefore must respectfully disagree with the position of the TIRZ in the September 2023 memo that none of the mature live oaks to be removed are “healthy” with its implication that the trees cannot survive or thrive. Based on my examination and experience, it is my professional opinion that with some basic care, most of these trees can survive and thrive.”

-       MEDIAN TREES ARE AT GREAT RISK FROM THE TIRZ PLAN:  The 14 median trees which the TIRZ intends to keep are at extreme risk from the 5 feet of land being taken away from each side of the medians.  Because these trees are planted in a staggered fashion, this will mean cutting right into the root plate on one side or the other of every one of these trees.  The TIRZ plans for narrowing the medians will also require taking off up to 40-50% of the canopies of some of these trees, leaving up to 20” pruning wounds.  These trees will be very visibly butchered. 

-       THREE 140+ YR OLD OAKS AT MAGNOLIA CEMETERY TO BE CUT DOWN:  The post oak trees at the entrance of the historic German cemetery are estimated by Mr. Latham to be at least 140 years old.  These legacy trees were likely planted in the late 1800’s and they currently shade the graves of many notable historic Houston families. 

-       POWER LINE-TRIMMED TREES STILL HEALTHY:  If the power lines were not positioned directly above some of the trees, they would be considered to be in good condition. They would have an even better chance for long-term growth if the power lines were moved, which is planned as part of the TIRZ project.  Although stressed by the conditions survived this summer and their placement under power lines, none of the trees were considered by Mr. Latham as unhealthy and needing to be removed.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!  We need you to TAKE ACTION if you want to save any of the trees in Phase 1 and beyond. We must all speak up and show up to ensure that plans for Phase 2 are modified to preserve the 400+ trees on the rest of Montrose south to US 59, which are all at risk unless the TIRZ significantly changes what they have underway.

There are two upcoming meetings that we ask you to attend: 

o   Thursday, November 30, 6:30pm  - Save Montrose Live Oaks Public Meeting upstairs at Brookstreet BBQ, 1009 Missouri St, corner of Montrose Blvd.  Meet the group to learn more, ask questions, and provide your input. 

o   Monday, December 11, 6:30pm - Public TIRZ Board Meeting at St. Stephens Episcopal 1827 W Alabama St, Havens Center, Houston, TX 77098.  Please attend in person if you possibly can, or register for Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZElcOCqpzgpGNRO1s1yRqBQTqadWZIb9yr1   

Please also register on our website to receive ongoing updates and important event notifications.  www.SaveMontroseLiveOaks.com