Landscape designer in Tomball

Since January 21, 2025, the City of Tomball has a tree preservation ordinance that covers all property inside city limits, residential included. Removing a protected tree needs a permit, and replacement is inch for inch: one caliper inch planted for every diameter inch removed, with replacement trees at least 4 caliper inches and chosen from the city's list.

The protected list includes live oak, water oak, laurel oak, pecan, magnolia, cedar elm and bald cypress, among roughly 44 species. Before we place a patio, pergolaPergolaAn open overhead structure of posts and beams that frames a space and supports shade or climbing plants. Smaller cousins include the arbor (an arch over a path or gate) and the trellis (a lattice panel for climbers). footingFootingThe widened base at the bottom of a wall, column or structure that spreads its load into the ground. or drain line near one of those trees, we route around it. If removal is the only option, the permit and replacement trees go into the proposal so there are no surprises.

The Harris County Flood Control District handles the channels here. Willow Creek drains about half of the City of Tomball and flows into Spring Creek just upstream of I-45. Tomball was among the areas hit in the April 2016 Tax Day flood, when parts of upper Cypress Creek took 13 to 17 inches in about 12 hours, and saturated ground flooded again in the Memorial Day storm a month later.

On a single lot, the problem usually starts smaller: roof water dumped beside the slab, a yard graded toward the house, or a side yard that holds water for days. Yard drainage solutions and rainwater drainage systems carry that water to the street or an approved outlet before it becomes a foundation problem.

The Hockley soil series has its type location near Tomball: a loamy fine sand to fine sandy loam surface that drains well, with a seasonal perched water table about 3.5 to 6 feet down in winter. Sand drains fast, but it also washes out from under pavers and slabs when water is not controlled. We compact base in lifts, use edge restraintEdge restraintA fixed border along a paver field that keeps the units from spreading apart. on paver installation, and keep surface water off the joints.

In lower spots the water table rises closer in wet months, so we check for standing waterPondingStanding water that remains on lawn, beds or paving after rain, usually in a low spot lower than its surroundings. before setting post footings or a catch basin depth.

Inside city limits, a fence over 7 feet tall needs a building permit. Single-family fences can be up to 8 feet, and no more than 4 feet in the front yard. For patios, covers and accessory structures, we confirm requirements with the city's building division before the proposal. Outside city limits, your HOA's deed restrictions usually set the rules instead.

Tomball lots range from older in-town homes under big oaks to newer master-planned subdivisions off Highway 249. The work we see most often combines drainage with outdoor living, built by one team through our landscape design process.

• Drainage that ties downspouts and low spots to an approved outlet
• Paver patios on compacted base that will not wash out
• Pergolas and patio covers placed clear of protected trees
• Planting plans that work with sandy soil and summer heat