Local Home Builder and Developer Work Together to Preserve a Piece of Richmond's Past
Taylor Morrison and Johnson Development Services Work to Save Live Oak Trees
Jul 22, 2015, 09:05 ET
RICHMOND, Texas, July 22, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Local home builder Taylor Morrison and land developer Johnson Development Services have spent the past several months saving a stately stand of live oak trees dating back more than 50 years in Fort Bend County.
The home builder and developer have undertaken a large scale preservation plan to save more than two dozen live oaks, some as tall as 40-60 feet, from extinction by carefully preserving and relocating them in order to protect a species of tree held dear by many Texans.
"It's important that we're good stewards of the land that we develop," said Jonathan White, president of Taylor Morrison's Houston division, of the preservation project at the builder's new Grand Vista community in Richmond. "Trees like these are living monuments to Texas' heritage and preserving them is the only decision to make."
Taylor Morrison is working with Johnson Development Services to save as many of the trees as possible. The 622-acre property has a colorful history, and the heritage of the property can be traced to the live oaks that make up an abandoned tree farm originally founded more than 50 years ago.
Live oak trees are hearty trees, providing stately canopies over the ground and plenty of shade. They do well in drought areas but given the length of time that Fort Bend County land has been used for agricultural businesses, finding such a hearty stand of trees in the area was surprising.
"It's unusual to find trees this big in the county," said Jim Ellison, vice president of sales and marketing for Taylor Morrison's Houston division. "Southwestern Houston has been agricultural for more than a century. To find trees like this is a real treasure for us as a home builder and a tremendous asset for our home buyers."
The heartiest of the trees, called "soldiers", have been preserved by Johnson Development and will provide for plenty of memories.
"These trees are living monuments; they tell a story of our past," said Michael Cox of Johnson Development Services. "They were often used as markers in land descriptions.
"In fact, I've seen old Spanish land grants where live oaks were used as markers. They hold a strong place in Texas' heart. They're emotional icons for Houston and for Texas."
For more information on Taylor Morrison, please visit www.taylormorrison.com.
About Taylor Morrison
Taylor Morrison Home Corporation (NYSE: TMHC) is a leading national builder and developer based in Scottsdale, Arizona and operates under two well-established brands, Taylor Morrison and Darling Homes. Taylor Morrison builds and develops distinctive communities from coast to coast, serving a wide array of homeowners and aimed mainly at first-time, move-up, luxury and 55 or better customers. Darling Homes builds communities in Texas, catering to move-up and luxury homebuyers seeking a personalized building experience.
For more information about Taylor Morrison and Darling Homes please visit www.taylormorrison.com or www.darlinghomes.com.
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SOURCE Taylor Morrison