Webworms in District Trees

The District’s landscaper and MUD Board are aware of the webworm infestation in the District and are awaiting a proposal for treatment from the District’s arborist.

Pecan Tree WebWorms in Texas Hill Country

The webworm, Hyphantria cunea (Drury), is a common pest of trees. It attacks more than 88 different kinds of plants, but does not attack conifers (pines and other needle-bearing trees). Webworms are known for the large webs they produce. Webworms only damage tree leaves and do not kill the branches upon which their nests form. These branches will grow new leaves next year so there is no need to cut branches out of a tree to remove the nests.

For further information, see AgriLifeExtension.tamu.edu.

Pruning and Trimming Trees

The MUD Board and management are aware of low-hanging tree branches along Creek Run Drive and elsewhere in the District. The trees are full of seeds and water from the rain, and the goal of our landscaping team is to allow the seeds to drop and water to recede naturally, rather than trim back otherwise healthy branches. Thank you for your concern for these trees and your vigilance in protecting the neighborhood. Please use caution when driving throughout the neighborhood and while enjoying the parks.

As a reminder, residents are welcome to take the pecans that fall from trees in common areas, but thrashing or any similar action to remove the nuts from trees is not permitted.

The Block House MUD Restrictive Covenants Subcommittee has initiated a trial program whereby District residents whose property is not within the BHC Owners Association may avoid receiving a violation notice for having their recreational vehicle(s) on site for the purpose of loading or unloading.

Residents should submit the Boat/Camper/RV Notice Form. The form must be received by the management company a minimum of two business days prior to bringing the boat/camper/RV into the District, and the boat/camper/RV must not remain in excess of 24 hours. See form for more details.

THIS DOES NOT APPLY TO PROPERTIES WITHIN THE OWNERS ASSOCIATION. 

Who is going to fix the fence?

The high winds that we have experienced this week have wreaked havoc on many of the fences in Block House Creek. Those who are faced with having to quickly repair or replace all or part of a shared fence may have a number of questions. How does a homeowner know if the fence is on their property or on the neighbor's? Is the cost of repairing or replacing a shared fence a shared responsibility? Who gets the "pretty" side of the fence?

Unless the fence sits entirely on one property or the other, the presumption is that the maintenance of the shared fence is a shared responsibility and obligation. The only way to know for sure whether the fence is entirely on one property is to have a survey done, which would cost as much or nearly as much as it would to replace the fence.

It is a common misperception that the owner whose property has the "pretty" side—the side with the pickets—is the owner of the fence. It is more likely that when the subdivision was under construction, the house that sold first got the "pretty" side. Sometimes, when one homeowner pays for replacement and the neighbor does not participate in the replacement cost, the pickets face the yard of the person paying for the fence. Which side has the pickets and which side has the posts is not an indicator of who "owns" the fence or who is responsible for maintenance and repairs.

Typically, when one homeowner is unwilling to participate in the repair or replacement of shared fences, the homeowner to whom it matters usually bears the financial burden. In situations where the issue of shared cost cannot be resolved, some homeowners have taken the matter to small claims court.

Homeowners may find that their insurance company has a different answer.

Please note: The guidelines provided for you here should not be construed as legal advice.