The first 10' of your lot, starting at the street and measuring back toward your home, is in the City of Houston easement or right-of-way.  If an existing,  tree lives within this 10' frontage of your property, you are not allowed to cut it down.  IT IS PROTECTED.  If the tree is cut down, someone WILL BE fined - either the homeowner or builder. Please check with the city!

BPHA Homeowners - Current and Future - who plan to build a new home or widen a driveway, etc..:  you must make yourself knowledgeable about the City of Houston tree ordinance.  Your architect/builder should also know the stipulation about cutting down trees.  Check the City of Houston website, http://www.houstontx.gov/, or call 311 to find out the issues - protected tree size, fines, etc.