HORSESHOE BAY — The City Council Nov. 29 declared open war on cedars within the city limits on undeveloped property — but offered a reprieve for a select few.
"I make the motion that we initiate a plan to eradicate cedar trees over the next three to five years at the city's expense," Councilman Jeff Robinson said.
The council unanimously passed the measure, which members say is needed to cut down on the danger of wildfire. Robinson introduced the idea during the October council meeting, and followed through this week on his promise to bring it up again.
Not everyone agreed with the council.
One resident said taxpayer money shouldn't be used to cut down cedars on privately owned undeveloped lots. Another woman said cedars — also known as Ashe junipers — provide habitat for endangered species such as the golden-cheek warbler.
Mayor Bob Lambert, however, said the density of cedar trees growing in undeveloped portions of Horseshoe Bay present a public-safety hazard. Fire Chief Jim Fiero added that when thousands of acres in West Texas fell victim to blazes earlier this year, those areas were covered with cedar.
"The cedar trees were 15 to 20 feet high, but the flames were up to 60 feet high," the fire chief said.
A dry cedar tree is fuel for wildfires, he added.
Robinson said his plan calls for the removal of "reforestation" cedars — also known as second growth — but preserves stand-alone, single-trunk, mature trees with circumferences of 25-30 inches or greater.
"And we'd only do it with the lot owner's permission," he said.
Robinson estimated it would cost the city $30,000 annually to remove the unwanted cedars if spread out over five years, but $50,000 annually under a three-year plan.
Lambert said the city began a lot-clearing program two years ago that could include the cedar-eradication project.
Though the cedar-clearing program targets the undeveloped lots, property owners with a home on a lot that has cedars probably want to keep them. Those trees can stay, he added.
"We are not going to take any cedar out of any property without the property owner's consent," he said.
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