HCA INFORMAL FALL 2023 CLEAN-UP ... TREE DEBRIS

Original rendered visions, actual construction drawings, and as-built photographs show designed, managed, park-like modern landscape that extends modern Hickory Cluster building architecture.  However, long-time residents indicate that, due to budget limitations, HCA abandoned efforts in the mid-1970s to maintain cluster Common Areas according to the original modern landscape visions of Simon, Goodman and others.  For a more detailed discussion, see the Goodman Site Landscape page on this website.

As a result of this 1970s abandonment, and until about 2013 when a new HCA Board of Directors addressed it, lots of HCA Common Area trees and bushes dropped lots of HCA dead branches every year within our 18 acres due to storms, winds, drought, insects, or just old age.  And this debris was allowed to accumulate year after year, turning HCA into an unsightly and overloaded dead wood graveyard, and mega-food source for HCA Common Area-based termites that then also attack and feed on Hickory Cluster home wood components, costing HCA Members thousands of dollars in otherwise unnecessary pest control treatment expense.

HCA is responsible for maintaining HCA Common Area, including HCA trees and bushes, and fallen and trimmed HCA Common Area tree and bush branches, including the time and expense of packaging and removing resulting debris.  It is not HCA Member homeowner responsibility to either trim HCA Common Area trees or bushes, or to package and remove fallen or trimmed HCA Common Area tree and bush debris.

However, when HCA formally neglects to do so, HCA Member homeowners may sometimes informally trim HCA Common Area adjacent trees or bushes when they grow too big and impact their homes or other HCA Common Area infrastructure.  Even then, it is not HCA Member homeowner responsibility to use their own time or money to package and remove fallen or trimmed HCA Common Area tree and bush debris.

Since about 2013, and during formal or informal semi-annual Spring and/or Fall clean-ups, HCA Members collected fallen and trimmed tree debris at certain points within the cluster, locations easily accessible for removal to respective streets by grounds crew trucks, that then HCA removed following the clean-ups, sometimes as part of annual Fall leaf removal, and typically before the first snow and/or the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.  

Most tree and bush debris collection occurs after Summer when daytime temperatures drop into the 50-60F range, when it is cool enough to wear and work in protective long pants and long sleeve shirts, and when seasonal ground cover and mosquitos have receded.   

A recent example of a homeowner having to step in is the overgrown HCA Common Area Block 2 bush between 11557-61 Maple Ridge Rd.  It grows like a weed and onto the adjacent concrete stairs railing, creating possible accessibility and hazard issues on its West side, and home invasion ant paths on its East side.  After hearing that some neighbors still preferred to use the tree-impacted railing, rather than the completely clear railing on the other side of the stairs, an adjacent Member homeowner again trimmed the offending branches away from the impacted railing as he has done so in years past.

The following are several, but not all, typical HCA Common Area tree and bush debris collection site examples:

BLOCK 1 ... On the woods side of the footpath parallel and adjacent to the Maple Ridge Rd. guest parking between Blocks 1-2.

BLOCK 2 ... On the woods side of the footpath immediately behind 11557 Maple Ridge Rd. between Blocks 2-3.

BLOCK 3 ... On the woods side of the footpath and fire hydrant behind 11534 Hickory Cluster between Blocks 2-3.  

Have fun, and get some fresh air and good exercise!