Tree Killers Targeted

Tree killers targeted by Mayor Parker: Houston's own Lorax hits developers with major fines

Like the Lorax before her, mayor Annise Parker speaks for the trees . . .

As area real estate continues to thrive, the City of Houston remains dead set on protecting trees and foliage growing on public land.

Parker announced a $225,000 settlement with Signature City Homes after the developer toppled a large gum tree in the Museum Park area as well as a century-old live oak in Montrose that measured three feet in diameter. Each tree stood within the public right of way, allowing city officials to completely halt construction at both sites until an agreement could be reached on the fine.

"Developers cannot put their own commercial interest ahead of the law."

Though it's less than half of the City's original $500,000 demand, the payment marks the second major settlement with a local builder that destroyed portions of a tree canopy still recovering from an extended drought. In August, City Hall recovered $300,000 from a first-time condo developer that leveled nearly an acre of 100-year-old forest in Woodland Park just southeast of the Heights.

“We are fortunate that both commercial and residential development is booming in Houston to meet the demands of the strong economic growth in our city," Parker said in a statement. "However, developers cannot put their own commercial interest ahead of the law."

City ordinances prohibit the unpermitted removal of a tree when at least 50 percent of the trunk sits within the right of way. The mayor says she hopes the financial penalties will "send a strong message" to area builders, adding that officials will not tolerate the destruction of city trees with proper permits or approval.

In a message to the Houston Chronicle, Signature City Homes attorney Brian Cweren claims the tree removals were unintentional and that the company simply wanted to do the right thing, "even it if meant paying far more in settlement than the trees were actually worth."

The Houston Parks Department will use the Signature settlement funds to help restore natural vegetation in the neighborhoods affected by the developer.

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Throw the confetti

Houston puts a ring on it as 8th best U.S. city to get married in 2025

Photo by Eugenia Pankiv on Unsplash

Wedding bells are ringing in Houston.

Put your hands up, Houston. H-Town has climbed through the ranks to become one of the top 10 best places to get married in America this year, according to a just-released study from WalletHub.

WalletHub ranked 182 U.S. cities based on the average wedding costs; the number of venues, vendors, and services; and the number of activities and attractions in every city.

Houston ranks No. 8 for 2025, and especially stands out for activities and attractions (No. 10) and facilities and services (No. 15).

With more than 130 different wedding venues to choose from throughout the Houston area, there's no shortage of beautiful and unique locations to tie the knot. Plus, the bride and bridesmaids can get the party started early with with a shopping spree at Houston's 41st annual Bridal Extravaganza Show, or a luxurious spa getaway.

"Certain cities also make wedding planning easier with an abundance of options for wedding essentials, from florists to videographers to venues," WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo said. "The more options a city has, the more likely you are to receive competitive pricing and to find places that can work with your optimal schedule."

It's equally important to be budget-conscious, as weddings can cost about $35,000 on average, WalletHub said.

"When weddings can cost tens of thousands of dollars and prices have only become even more outrageously inflated in recent years, it pays to hold your wedding in a city that’s affordable, both for those paying for the wedding and for guests who will need to make accommodations," said Lupo.

For the avid DIY-ers out there, there's plenty of tasks that can be accomplished without shelling out hundreds or thousands of dollars – such as creating special floral arrangements using unconventional vessels as vases.

Houston is the second best place to get married in Texas, with Austin climbing into first place statewide and No. 6 nationally. Two additional Texas cities made it into the top 25 best places to get married: San Antonio (No. 20) and Dallas (No. 23).

The top 10 best places to get married in the U.S.in 2025 are:

No. 1 – Orlando, Florida
No. 2 – Las Vegas, Nevada
No. 3 – Miami, Florida
No. 4 – Atlanta, Georgia
No. 5 – Tampa, Florida
No. 6 – Austin, Texas
No. 7 – San Francisco, California
No. 8 – Houston, Texas
No. 9 – New Orleans, Louisiana
No. 10 – Fort Lauderdale, Florida

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