The Town of Prosper has granted a waiver through November 1, 2021 on replacing dead and damaged landscaping due to the February winter storm.

Recovering from the winter storm and restoring the landscaping to previous health and aesthetic appeal may be problematic for some, causing the Town to extend the deadline for compliance with landscaping code until November 1.

The Town’s grace period extends to HOA-owned property and commercial establishments as well.  Town requirements may differ from individual homeowner association requirements, including grace periods. Residents should check with their HOA or property management company for specifics related to their home landscaping.

Download the news release here

For questions about landscaping requirements for HOA-owned property and commercial property, please contact the Code Compliance Division at (972) 346-3502.

The following information is being provided to assist those who have questions about their landscaping plants and the recent hard freeze Texas received.

The Texas Chapter International Society of Arboriculture (ISA Texas) met on March 9, 2021, to discuss the impact of the deep freeze of 2021 on Texas trees.  The top eight ISA arborists from major metro areas in Texas were on the panel.  Below are some of their findings.

• Trees: Wait until July 4^th to fully assess the tree. It is possible that damage will not show up for several years.
• If a branch is broken, make a cut below the break. Do not do a collar cut this year.
• Do not fertilize or water established trees this Spring.
• Palms – Very questionable. Sago palm has a possibility of coming back. Mexican fan palms are at risk of not coming back. Trim the dead leaves off. Check to see if the crown is soft.  If not soft, wait.
• Oaks: Do nothing.  Leaves are falling because they are dried out.
• Cedar Elms may have a late leaf out.
• Crepe myrtles: They may not bloom this year and may not leaf out till August. Be patient. After August, assess the tree. If there are no leaves, cut it to the ground and let it come back from the roots.
• Newly planted trees may not have an established root system and may be at risk of not coming back, especially trees under 3 inches in diameter.
• Expect established figs to die to the ground, but they will probably come back.
• Pittosporum shrub, Indian Hawthorns, and ground cover are at risk of not coming back.
• Look for splits in the trees, called frost cracks. Frost cracks will cause stress on the tree. It could result in bores, cankers or die back.

Consult with a local plant expert, arborist or seasoned nurseryman if you have specific questions about the plants in your yard.