Developer Huffines Communities incorporates a three-acre farm to nurture native trees while benefiting the North Texas master-planned community
(MESQUITE, TX—May 2025). In September 2024, Huffines Communities launched phase 2, 3, and 4 of the 1,500-acre Solterra Texas master-planned community in Mesquite, Texas. These new phases and future phases will add single-family home lots, parks, open spaces, and playgrounds to the development. Also under construction is the state-of-the-art 27,745 square-foot Headquarters amenity complex, which will be available to Solterra residents in summer 2025.
Furthermore, in present and future phases, many of the mature elm, pecan, ash, oak, and native pear trees will come from Solterra’s on-site, three-acre tree farm. The farm began operations well before construction on the master-planned community started in 2021.
While not all trees will be sourced internally, this home-grown approach helps preserve the community’s natural character and ensures a strong mix of native species.
“When we first came to review the site in 2020, Phillip Huffines (co-owner of Huffines Communities) was excited about the available trees on site and felt we needed to save them, both from a cost savings and environmental standpoint,” said Huffines’ Project Manager Edward Beecherl.
After much discussion, it was determined that 450 of the on-site trees would be relocated to the protected acreage. Beecherl and Huffines Construction Manager Jerry Burkard partnered with a qualified arborist and consultants to properly replant, nurture, and grow the trees. So far, approximately 100 trees have been taken from the farm and transplanted in common areas, open spaces, and parks throughout Solterra’s first phase of development. Eventually, more than 4,000 trees will be planted throughout the community, the majority of which will come from the tree farm.
“Developers get a bad rap for moving into an area and destroying trees before building,” Burkard said. “But Solterra’s trees were plentiful and growing. As a result, we wanted to work with the assets we already had and save as many trees as we could.”
The Solterra Texas tree farm offers many benefits to both trees and residents:
Higher survival rate. Beecherl and Burkard explained that trees transported from a nursery to a community development require adjustment due to different soil composition and outdoor factors. Some trees might not adapt, which could mean sickness and death. However, the Solterra trees “lived their entire lives in this area,” Beecherl said. “They’re comfortable in these soils and stand an excellent chance of survivability because they’re native to the site.”
Enhanced shade. When Solterra broke ground in 2021, the trees’ calipers (trunk diameters) measured between three and four inches. After several years of continuous care, the trees have grown to between five and six caliper inches. A five-inch caliper tree can be as tall as 26 feet. “The goal of these trees is to generate shade for our parks and walkways,” Beecherl commented. “Larger trees cast shade sooner than the smaller ones. Thanks to the tree farm, our trees are two to three years taller and more mature than the typical purchased nursery trees. This also adds visual appeal to the community.”
The Solterra tree farm is one example of how Huffines Communities practices environmental stewardship while prioritizing continual tree integration into its developments. This philosophy plays a vital role in fostering livable, sustainable neighborhoods with standards that include:
Preserving existing trees. In addition to its sustainable tree farm, Solterra has its unique Lookout Treehouse Park. The park was thoughtfully designed around a 100-year-old red oak tree and allows residents to connect with nature while honoring the tree’s legacy.
Implementing strict tree-planting standards. All Huffines Communities require at least one tree per homesite—and often, two or three, depending on the lot size. This requirement excludes plantings in parks and common areas.
The Solterra tree farm’s success prompted the idea of similar setups in other Huffines Signature communities. “We have three large projects breaking ground right now, with Lakesong, Horizon Lakes, and Serenade,” Beecherl said. “We’re currently evaluating the existing trees on these sites and whether they’re suitable for creating additional on-site tree farms for future transplanting.”
About Solterra Texas
The 1,500-acre Solterra Texas is 17 miles east of downtown Dallas, adjacent to the N. Cartwright Rd and Faithon P Lucas Sr. Blvd intersection, near Interstates 20 and 635 in Mesquite, Texas. Situated on the former Lucas Farms site, the master-planned community is planned for over 3,400 single-family homes and town homes. Solterra Texas’ 13 home builders include David Weekly, Direct Residential, Impression Homes, Cadence Homes, First Texas Homes, Lennar Homes, CastleRock Communities, Highland Homes, Shaddock Homes, Coventry Homes, Chesmar Homes, History Maker Homes, and St. Vincent Homes. These quality builders offer multiple layouts to suit all residents, from growing families to empty nesters.
Solterra Texas residents will also have access to The Headquarters, a state-of-the-art, award-winning amenity complex that will provide ample opportunities for community connections. For more information, visit SolterraTexas.com.
About Huffines Communities
Huffines Communities, founded in 1985, is one of the largest privately held multifamily and single-family developers in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Since its inception, the company has built over 2,400 apartment units and developed more than 20,000 single-family lots in North Texas. With over 40 years of experience, Huffines Communities is dedicated to creating high-quality communities in North Texas that meet the needs of their residents.
PHOTOS CAN BE DOWNLOADED HERE |
