Earth Week Irony: Who Speaks for the Trees in Stonebriar?

There’s something almost poetic about celebrating Earth Week while chainsaws warm up in the background.

Residents in Stonebriar reached out with an urgent concern: their HOA is moving to remove a line of mature, 30-year-old trees—trees neighbors say are healthy, beautiful, and part of the character of their community. According to residents, they expect a permit to be issues today by the city even though a city tree expert initially indicated the trees were not diseased and did not warrant removal. Yet somehow, the situation appears to have shifted, and a permit is now moving forward.

That raises a fair question—one that deserves a clear, public answer:

Why are healthy, decades-old trees being slated for removal against the wishes of the very residents who live among them?

This isn’t just about landscaping preferences. Mature trees:

• provide shade and reduce urban heat
• improve air quality
• increase property values
• and contribute to the identity of a neighborhood

You don’t replace 30 years of growth with a sapling and call it even.

Decisions like this shouldn’t feel like they’re made behind closed doors or above the heads of the people most affected.

To be clear: HOAs have authority. Cities have processes. But both also have a responsibility to explain their decisions—when neighbors sentiment is to keep the trees. And the timing couldn’t be worse. During a week meant to highlight stewardship of the environment, residents are watching established greenery disappear—not because of disease or safety, but, they believe, because of preference.

That disconnect matters.

So here’s where things stand:

• Residents say the trees are healthy
• A city expert reportedly agreed
• The permit decision is likely to happen today
• Removal is imminent

What’s missing is a transparent explanation. Stonebriar HOA owes its residents clarity. The City owes its residents consistency.

Until then, the question hangs in the air like the shade those trees still provide—for now:

Are we protecting our environment this week… or just talking about it?

Update # 2 Stonebriar – Save The Trees

I have learned that the HOA Board Treasurer is none other than Ed Kelly. If that name sounds familiar they are a huge supporter of the Frisco Inner Circle and Mayor Jeff Cheney. He also serves on the Frisco Citizen Bond Committee. His wife Linda Kelly is the head of SLAN (which is the communities of Stonebriar).

If the city originally determined the trees are healthy and don’t need to come down, then why would the city issue the permit to allow the HOA to take them down? Could influence play a role in this decision? Could it be Ed Kelly and his connections influence the cities decision to approve the permit?

Update # 3 Different Opinion

We received a letter from another neigbhor who said that 4 years ago the Landscape Committee recommended “freshening up” some of our medians to make them not look so tired & worn out. They went on to say some residents felt the medians presented a real safety issue with not being able to see walkers or even cars. The Board at that time approved this refresh by trying to enhance & do something nice for the community.

When they removed the 30-year-old Nellie Stevens “gumdrop” shrubs, they planted taller young trees in their place as any responsible party would. This project began last year. A few of the residents petitioned to not have their gumdrops removed. The resident said she believes the soil they are in is totally depleted of life & nutrients. 

The resident went on to say that many residents in Stonebriar Village are tired of hearing the whining from this select group of people and felt like Frisco Chronicles did not tell the whole story. That is why I wanted to share her remarks.

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