Heritage Oak Trees Destroyed by Frontier Waste Trucks in Greenshire Oaks
Two 200-year-old heritage oak trees — protected by Texas law — have been destroyed by garbage trucks on Bent Tree Drive, and a third is damaged.
What Happened
Jim and Jane Hover, new residents on Bent Tree Drive in Greenshire Oaks, reported to Schertz City Council (February 3, 2026) that Frontier Waste Management trucks have destroyed two heritage oaks and damaged a third in their front yard [18:39].
The details: - Trucks appear to be 18-19 feet tall, exceeding the 15-foot clearance under tree canopies - First tree: Backed into months ago — Frontier never reported it - Second tree: Recently torn apart — driver continued on without stopping - Third tree: Damaged, still standing
“These trees are protected by the state of Texas,” Jim Hover told the council, asking about monetary value and accountability [21:29].
The Contract Switch
Context matters: Republic Services recently ended their contract with Schertz. Frontier Waste Management took over.
Translation: New company, new trucks, new drivers — and apparently, no one told them about the low-hanging branches in Greenshire Oaks.
The Hovers’ solution: A smaller truck could navigate the route, but that requires council action to mandate truck height limits on certain streets.
The Law: Heritage Tree Protection
Under local ordinances, heritage trees (typically 200+ years old, certain species, significant size) may be protected. Texas does not have statewide heritage tree protections—enforcement varies by city. Damaging or destroying them without proper permits can result in: - Fines - Required replacement (at significant cost — mature trees are expensive) - Civil liability for property damage
The catch: Enforcement varies by city. Some cities aggressively protect heritage trees. Others look the other way until residents sue.
What the City Should Do
1. Immediate truck height restrictions on Bent Tree Drive and similar streets with low canopies
2. Require Frontier to survey routes and identify clearance issues before damage occurs
3. Investigate the first tree destruction — why was it never reported?
4. Determine monetary value of destroyed trees and whether Frontier owes restitution
What the city will probably do: Ask staff to “look into it,” schedule a follow-up discussion, and hope the Hovers don’t lawyer up.
What It Means for Homeowners
If you have heritage trees near the street:
- Document their condition now (photos, measurements, arborist assessment) - File a complaint in writing if garbage trucks damage them — verbal reports disappear - Request the city enforce truck height limits on your street - Consult an attorney if the city won’t act — property damage + violation of state tree protection laws = grounds for a lawsuit
If you just moved to Schertz:
Welcome to the growing pains of a city scaling up services without scaling up oversight. Republic Services knew the routes. Frontier is learning — and your trees are paying the price.
The Bigger Picture
This isn’t just about trees. It’s about whether the city’s contract oversight keeps pace with growth.
When you switch service providers (garbage, water, EMS, whatever), someone at City Hall should be: - Walking routes with the new contractor - Identifying clearance/access issues - Setting truck size/height requirements before the first pickup
That didn’t happen here. And now two irreplaceable 200-year-old trees are gone.
Sources: - Schertz City Council meeting transcript (February 3, 2026) - Timestamps: [18:39], [21:29] - Public comment by Jim and Jane Hover