We did some of that; and it's fucking worse!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm 8th generation Texan, born in Austin, dad was born in Pflugerville and mom in Bastrop. In 2014, we bought our "final resting place" in Driftwood. The developer gave me the plats and I drove my F250 through the country to see what area looked like. We choose 2 lots covered w/ mature oaks, a couple of 4 ft diameter (~ 100-150 years old) and about thirty 2-3 ft diameter. The rest of the lot was covered with persimmon, cedars and algarita. We turned the house on the lot to face the line of large oak trees towards the south. The builders who bought 20-30 lots were pissed to holy hell that I got first pick of the lots, the corner with the big trees.
We kept it natural, selectively removing small trees and trimming branches to optimize esthetics and habitat for the Hill Country critters. We also did not put in a lawn, because watering a large lot in the Hill Country is STUPID.
Until 2 days ago, we enjoyed our little island covered with a canopy of mature oaks, that has served as a mini oasis for whitetail deer. Every spring, we have been blessed with new fawns born here, and every fall, trophy bucks have come by looking for a hookup.
That literally came crashing down yesterday and today.
These are the same twin trees, 2 years apart.
February 2021
February 2023
Yesterday, Feb 1
Today, Feb 2
Every tree I have looks like this. I am crushed.
I have no words to describe my emotions this morning.