Reforestation Program – Oyster Creek Greenbelt & the Nature Preserve Initiative

GENERAL

The Oyster Creek Greenbelt (OCG) extends 1.5 miles from north to southeast, bisecting Fort Bend County Municipal Utility District No. 146 (“the District”). The OCG encompasses approximately 50 acres of native open space and is characterized by hard woods and conifers, as well as a variety of native prairie grasses. The area is relatively flat and is surfaced by expansive clays.

The OCG provides residents of the District with a wide variety of recreational opportunities, both active and passive.  Since completion of the trail system, residents have a hard surfaced trail throughout the OCG, including pedestrian bridges across the creek, to enhance the recreational value of the area while affording residents with better access and mobility.  The area is considered to be one of the most important and distinctive natural amenities in the community.

The Nature Preserve is an 18-acre natural area located at the south end of the Long Meadows Farm’s development in Section 35.  Approximately nine (9) acres of wooded preserve is located behind resident’s homes.  The area provides an excellent habitat for a variety of birds and wildlife. District maintenance activities within the Nature Preserve are intentionally limited to periodic mowing and the removal of potentially hazardous trees or limbs in order to preserve its natural character.

PROGRAM PURPOSE

The purpose of the Reforestation Program is:

  • To provide individual residents the opportunity to install a tree behind their home
  • To promote the installation of new native trees along the OCG and Nature Preserve to ensure a native population of varying maturity
  • To educate the community regarding the positive environmental impacts of reforestation
  • To preserve and enhance property values
  • To enhance the quality of life for recreational users of the OCG and the Nature Preserve
  • To maintain or enhance wildlife habitat
  • To support carbon sequestration and environmental sustainability efforts

DISTRICT REFORESTATION

Based on the District’s funding ability, as the removal of trees occur in accordance with the Potentially Hazardous Tree & Limb Policy, the District, when appropriate, will strive to replace a removed tree with another native tree and locate it in the same general vicinity as the removed tree.

REFORESTATION AND RESIDENTS

Residents who own property directly adjacent to the creek, Nature Preserve or District common area will have the opportunity to assist the District with their efforts to maintain and enhance a healthy population of native trees in OCG, Nature Preserve District common areas by funding the purchase and installation of pre-selected tree species and sizes.  Residents interested in this program will be provided with a list of tree species options and sizes with the purchase and installation cost associated with each option.

Once a resident selects a tree, a District representative will meet with the resident to determine a mutually agreeable location for the tree to be installed on the District’s property; provided, however, that in case of disagreement, the District shall have the final decision regarding the trees location.  Trees will be ultimately located at appropriate distance and spacing from fence lines, walking trails, other trees, etc. so that the District does not incur additional maintenance costs and for the ultimate long-term growth and health of the tree.

Program participants will need to remember that, contingent upon the selected location, irrigation or access to water for maintaining a newly planted tree may be limited or non-existent on District property which could adversely affect the trees health or sustainability.  Program participants should plan on watering the tree(s) as needed.

Upon site approval, the selected tree(s) will be installed by the District’s landscape maintenance contractor; installation will include an initial mulch ring and proper staking.  The program participant will be notified in advance of the installation date.  The length of time between site selection and installation will vary based upon a number of factors such as availability of a specific tree species, tree selected, time of year and the availability of nursery stock.

Other factors to keep in mind include:  optimum planting months to increase tree sustainability, changing pricing, size and species availability, and the District’s ability to bundle multiple requests for better pricing.

The following is an example of pricing, sizes and species:

  • 30 gallon Bald Cypress, Approximate cost installed $385.00
  • 45 gallon Bald Cypress, Approximate cost installed $465.00

Payment for trees and the installation cost shall be made prior to the trees being ordered from the nursery. 

Optimum tree planting months are October – March.

ORDERING AND PAYMENT

Residents wishing to participate in the Reforestation Program may contact Caitlin Cox, Common Area Management Team for the District, at ccox@guidelinems.com or (713) 568-7252.  Checks for the purchased tree(s) should be made to Fort Bend County MUD 146.  Only checks will be accepted. 

TREE SPECIES OPTIONS

The following tree species are recommended for planting in Texas by the Texas A&M Forest Service Texas Tree Planting Guide, http://texastreeplanting.tamu.edu/ViewAllTrees.aspx.