Neighbors express frustration after crews raze acres of trees

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Acres of trees have been destroyed near one Fort Bend County neighborhood, including 17 Pecan trees that have stood for generations.

Crews recently began to topple the trees, located just east of the Pecan Grove neighborhood as part of the construction of a new storm water detention project.

"It never even occurred to me that this could happen. That they would wipe them out. That's our namesake. This is Pecan Grove," said longtime homeowner Paul Christ.

Others fought back tears while telling us of their heartbreak, as they watched the trees be removed.

"These trees been here forever. I've lived here for 20 years. It's part of our history," said homeowner Cindy Burnham.

Neighbors took to social media to express their frustrations.

One wrote: "They need to change our name to Grass Grove or Levy Grove. Who could kill 100 year old pecan trees and still sleep at night?"

Another lamented: "Beyond heartbreaking."

The municipal utilities district in Pecan Grove says acres of trees, not just pecans, along the neighborhood's east edge are being cleared to build a detention pond. Officials tell us they've been talking about building that ever since back to back storms four years ago left nearly two dozen homes flooded.

"The residents wanted something done about that. They're tired of water coming up 3 and 4 feet inside streets and into their homes," said Pecan Grove MUD President Chad Howard.

Howard says the MUD purchased 22 acres adjacent to Pecan Grove to build the detention pond.

"We're trying to alleviate the flooding in the homes, and this was the most economical and easiest way to get the water out of our neighborhood," said Howard.

Many homeowners say they had no notice of this being done. But Howard insists it's been in the works for nearly 4 years and that the utilities district board discussed it at almost every monthly meeting since.