Dear neighbors,

This email it to serve as more of a "public service announcment' for our neighborhood :) There are many neighbors that are not from this area and may not be aware of Oak Wilt, and some of us who are from this area and may not take it too seriously....I didn't until it was too late.

One thing I love about LSR is the preservation of our beautiful oak trees by our builder. I have lived in the Leon Springs/Fair Oaks area my entire life. In the last decade, Oak Wilt has become a serious issue and we have first hand expeirence with the issue. Oak Wilt is in our area and we all need to take caution in trimming our trees, and in hiring others to do it for us. Oak wilt is quickly spread through fresh cuts on oak trees, and through the root systems beween the oak trees.

True story...

Our previous home was located just down the frontage raod. Our lot had over 90 oak trees. We had out trees professionally trimmed by a very reputable company but the wounds were not sealed (something they ensured us they would do). We had the company come back and seal the wounds, but I'm afraid it was too late. Starting about a year later, we started loosing trees. We cut down about 20 trees before decided to sell our property and move to LSR. Fast forward 3 years now, when we drive by, every single tree is dead. Not only was cutting those 20 trees a major expense, the beautiful look of the property is ruined, and the 2-3 houses on each side of our property have oak wilt now and are loosing trees (as it quickly spreads through the root system).

The moral of the story...

Please do your due diligence by your trees at the right time, clean your tools with bleach, and spray the wounds. Be sure the people you hire do the same!

There is no cure for oak wilt. Some of our neighbrors spent $10,000 to treat their trees with injections, but this only appears to buy some time.

Some quick facts from www.texasoakwilt.orghttp://www.texasoakwilt.org:

•     The Oak Wilt fungus is spread via two ways: above ground and below ground. The above ground movement is facilitated by a sap-feeding beetle that carries the fungal spores to new trees. The below ground movement occurs when the fungus travels from tree to tree through interconnected roots.
  

  • Remove and dispose of oak wilt-infected red oaks immediately.
  • Avoid wounding oak trees, including pruning, from February through June.
  • Sterilize/sanitize all pruning equipment between trees.
  • Paint all wounds and fresh stumps immediately regardless of season.
  • Handle oak firewood cautiously, burn all firewood before spring, and never store unseasoned oak wood from infected trees near healthy oaks.
  • Cover unseasoned firewood (from infection centers and unknown origins) with clear plastic and bury the edges of the plastic.
    I am not an expert,  I'm just speaking from experience. I don't mean to scare, I just wanted to bring the issue to light.  It's a horrible feeling when the almost uncontrollable tree disease starts affecting your property...and your neighbors properties and the resell value of our lots.
    We all love this neighborhood and know we all want to do what is best for our beautiful properties. For more information, visit www.texasoakwilt.orghttp://www.texasoakwilt.org.

Jeff and Courtney Supplee

Jeff and Courtney Supplee,

I am so sorry to hear about your trees at your previous property.

Oak trees should not be trimmed except at certain times of the year. 
One of those times is the coldest part of the year (and, I've been told,
this is the optimal time to trim them) but, obviously, that time has
passed for this year.  Another aspect of the Oak Wilt issue is that
having "cedar" trees mixed in with the oak trees seems to help prevent
the spread of Oak Wilt via the interconnected root systems.  (By the
way, what is called "Mountain Cedar" around here is actually Juniper.)

I have watched some areas up 281 and across 46 that have experienced
serious oak wilt infestation but did not have all the trees removed. 
While it took several years (as in over a decade), I have noticed that
some of the ravaged trees are beginning to show signs of greening back
up.  They are still rather pitiful looking but they ARE improving.  I
have been wondering whether the ones that are coming back might have
some sort of immunity to oak wilt.

While there is a rumor that the balls that appear on oak trees are fatal
to the limbs and, eventually, to the trees, if you look closely at
telephone wires, telephone poles, and almost anything up in the air, you
will find those balls growing on them as well. Those balls are sold up
north as "Air Plants" and do not damage the oak tree limbs.  In fact,
those balls only grow on limbs that are already dead.  If you find one
of the balls on a piece of limb laying on the ground, you can bring it
inside and periodically soak the piece of limb in water and the plant
will green up and send out the "Air Plant" shoots.

Ralph D. Wilson II
(210) 387-7744
9038 Woodland Trace
Borne, TX 78006

I will start by stating I love dogs and in particular German Shepherds.

About 30 min ago while walking on the street in Woodland Trace an individual loading a white SUV had his German Shepherd unleashed in the street.

The dog responding to his/her instincts charged at me even though I was on the opposite side of the street and did my best not to attract his attention.

I told the owner in question that it was against the rules of the HOA to have unleashed dogs on the street, my main concern being my son who is in far better shape than I am and leaves me out the dust.

The individual in question responded by saying that

a) he was a guest and not a resident of Limestone ranch

b) Told me to shut the F*** up.

In light of this experience I would respectfully request the HOA to place signage at the entrance of the subdivision indicating that while in public spaces dogs should have a leash, and that HOA rules are applicable to residents and guests alike.

Unsafe handling of large dogs in public spaces is a safety problem and an act of animal cruelty. Had it been a toy puddle charging at me I likely would not say anything, but seriously folks, this needs to stop before someone, least of all one of the kids in our neighborhood, gets hurt.

Adolfo Matamoros