City to receive $300K for illegal tree removal settlement

HOUSTON -

The city of Houston has reached a settlement with a developer in connection with the unpermitted removal of four oak trees in Upper Kirby.

The trees were chopped down in the middle of the night as part of a construction project near the corner of Kirby Drive and North Boulevard from the public right-of-way.

A $300,000 settlement was reached last Friday.

"Our trees are valuable resources and their preservation is important to the city," said Mayor Annise Parker. "We have a fair process for developers, but when they violate our policies we will not hesitate to prosecute to the fullest extent of the law."

The Kirby Drive and North Boulevard oak trees had been planted by Trees for Houston volunteers acting on behalf of the Boulevard Oaks Civic Association more than a decade ago.

With the $300,000 settlement, the city has recovered more than $1 million for improperly removed trees this year, which is unprecedented.

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City to receive $300K for illegal tree removal settlement