• 500 million dead trees in Texas mean boom times for trimmers

    The Texas Forest Service is warning homeowners about the dangers of drought-stricken dead trees.

    By msnbc.com staff

    Business is booming in Texas, and not just the oil and gas business. Tree trimmers are raking in the bucks after last year's drought killed an estimated 500 million trees.


    "I've been so swamped, we've had to call in reinforcements" from other states, arborist Glen Jennings told NBCDFW.com.

    The Texas Forest Service, which estimates 5.6 million trees died in urban areas, urged homeowners to be pro-active about removing dead trees -- before they land on neighboring property.

    "Be aware that your tree could fall onto someone else’s property," service official Jim Rooni said in a statement Thursday. "he rules vary from place to place, but generally the owner of the tree is responsible. Bottom line: You could be liable."

    Jennings was stunned by the amount of dead trees across the state.

    "I, personally, have never been in the middle of something like this before," he said. "Small droughts, yeah, but statewide?"

     

  • In Texas' worst drought on record, trees dying by the millions

    Ron Billings / Texas Forest Service via AP

    Drought stricken trees are visible in a residential area in Austin, Texas. The full effect of Texas' record-breaking drought and scorching hot summer on the state's trees will be revealed next spring, with a changed landscape emerging in many places.

    By Julie Tam, NBCDFW.com

    The National Weather Service has officially declared last year as the driest on record in Texas and the second hottest. Meteorologists predict the situation won't improve much this year. That means water restrictions will continue, and we'll lose millions of trees.

    Record-setting heat and little rain in 2011 has left North Texas in a severe drought. The water level at Lake Lavon is down 12 feet.

    See the original story on NBCDFW.com

    “It is a challenging time, especially to bring awareness to our consumers and businesses how critical our drought has impacted our reservoirs,” said Denise Hickey, spokesperson for the North Texas Municipal Water District. “As we're planning to move through this drought period, we're also planning and initiating additional strategies to bring additional sources online.”

    The diminished water supply forced many counties to put residents under water restrictions indefinitely.

    The Texas Forest Service says the drought may have killed as much as 10 percent of the state's trees. That's 500 million trees.

    Some trees in your yard might look dead, but tree experts say don't cut them down yet. They still might come back in the spring and you should continue watering them.

    “A lot of trees are dormant and a lot of trees go dormant early when there's a drought situation. And they kind of do that for a defense mechanism,” said Matt Grubisich, urban forester for the Texas Trees Foundation. “Most municipalities still let you use a soaker hose, and that is a very adequate way to be able to still water your trees.”

    Forecasters expect the drought to last through at least June.

    “It's going to get worse before it gets better,” said Grubisich.

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