Parkside Tree Maintenance

Hello Parkside,

One of the best features of our community is our beautiful trees. Years ago, when the trees were small, there wasn't as much maintenance needed, and the trees didn't grow into the sidewalk or the street. Now that our trees are mature, they need to be trimmed to comply with the City of Austin and the HOA. We understand that comes with time, cost, and effort, but it needs to be done.

The HOA will be doing our tree-trimming project later in July to service trees in the HOA common areas and the trail. We will be trimming back limbs, cutting down and removing dead trees and dead branches for safety reasons with JP's Tree Service. Some parts of the trail may be closed when the crew is working. Please comply with notices and/or caution tape for your safety.

We are asking all Parkside homeowners to start planning to do the same, especially if your trees and bushes are overgrown and out of compliance. Below is some helpful information, education, and reminders.

From the City of Austin (PDF Attached):

-Your tree limbs need to be 14 feet above the street so trucks, school buses, delivery vehicles, fire trucks, and our weekly garage trucks can pass freely. -Your tree limbs need to be 8 feet above the sidewalk so pedestrians can walk freely. -Your bushes, plants, etc, cannot grow into or block the sidewalk. They need to be trimmed back. -The homeowner is strictly responsible for maintaining any private tree and vegetation growing into or obstructing the public right-of-way (sidewalks and streets). -If your tree trunk is on your private property, you own the tree, and the legal liability for its maintenance falls on you. You must ensure limbs do not create a hazard for pedestrians, cyclists, or city vehicles. -Trees in the public right-of-way are maintained by the City of Austin; however, the trees in your front yard and back yard are on your private property, and it's the homeowner's responsibility to maintain them.

Per Parkside at Slaughter Creek's HOA CCR's:

4.16 Lot Maintenance and Environmental Concerns: The Owner of each Lot shall maintain the same and adjacent street right-of-way and the improvements, sod, trees, hedges, fences and planting thereon, in a neat and attractive condition. Such maintenance shall include regular mowing, edging of turf areas, weeding of plant beds, fertilizing, weed control, and watering of the turf and landscape areas on each Lot. Diseased or dead plants or trees must be removed and replaced within a reasonable time.

If your trees or bushes are out of compliance, you may receive a violation letter to correct it. If you are renting your home, it is still the homeowner's responsibility. Please make arrangements to get your trees and bushes trimmed. Your renter will thank you for it.

Oak wilt season officially ended on June 30. July and August are good months to trim trees. Late fall and winter, from November to January as also great months for future planning.

Who can do the work?

-You can trim your own trees and bushes yourself. There are helpful tips online if needed. -You can help your neighbor who needs assistance. -You can hire any tree expert vendor or trained arborist you'd like. -You can hire the HOA's approved tree vendor, JP's Tree Service: 512-550-5978. Since 2024, JP has done all HOA-related tree work and has serviced the trees of at least 20+ Parkside homeowners.

Please trim your trees and bushes so they are in compliance with the City of Austin code and HOA restrictions to avoid a violation and/or fine. Your home's curb appeal and our neighborhood will look much better and will be a lot safer.

Thank you for your cooperation. Have a great day.