Landscaping Maintenance Reminder

Dear Highpointe Resident,

Tree Trimming Reminder – Keeping Highpointe Safe and Beautiful

As we head into the fall season, we would like to remind all homeowners that this is an important time to evaluate and maintain the trees and landscaping on your property.

Homeowners are responsible for maintaining the trees and landscaping on their property, including addressing overgrown vegetation and removing dead or damaged branches. Homeowners should also ensure that limbs, foliage, or plantings do not obstruct sidewalks, block sightlines at intersections, driveways, roadways, traffic signs, visibility areas, or pedestrian pathways. Taking these steps can help prevent potential hazards while keeping your property and the surrounding community looking its best.

Design Guidelines: “Siting” - Sight-Line and Visibility Requirements

*"No fence, wall, hedge, or planting that obstructs sight lines between two feet (2’) and nine feet (9’) above the roadway may be placed or permitted to remain on any corner lot within the triangular area formed by the street property lines and a line connecting them at a point thirty feet (30’) from the intersection of the street lines. For rounded property corners, the measurement begins from the intersection of the street property lines as extended.

The same sight-line limitations apply to any lot within the triangular area formed by the street line, driveway or alley line, and a line connecting them at a point ten feet (10’) from the intersection of a street property line with the edge of a driveway or alley pavement.

All tree foliage within such distances of intersections must be maintained to meet the sight-line requirements set forth above. All sight distances required by any governmental authority must be complied with."*

Additionally, four-inch caliper trees and shrubs should be regularly pruned to avoid blocking:

• Street signs and address markers.

• Illumination from light fixtures.

• Air vents and air conditioner compressors.

• Pedestrian and vehicular traffic areas.

Oak Tree Trimming Guidelines

For homeowners with oak trees, please be aware of recommended trimming practices in Texas to help reduce the risk of oak wilt, a serious fungal disease that can affect oak trees. Oak wilt spreads most easily during the spring when beetles that carry the fungus are most active.

Recommended oak trimming schedule:

• Best window: December–January

o Lowest risk of oak wilt transmission

o Trees are typically dormant, making pruning less stressful

• Acceptable window: Late July through January

o Lower oak wilt risk than spring; pruning may be done when needed for safety

• Avoid pruning: February through June

o Highest risk of oak wilt transmission due to active growth and beetle activity

When trimming oak trees, proper precautions should be taken, including:

• Applying wound dressing or latex paint immediately after making pruning cuts.

• Removing only the limbs necessary to address safety concerns or maintenance needs.

• Using clean and properly sanitized pruning equipment. Highpointe Board of Directors