News

Texas Flood Relief: How Southern Botanical Tree Crews Aided Recovery in Kerr County

In the early morning hours of July 4, 2025, a devastating flash flood swept through the Texas Hill Country, leaving behind a trail of destruction and heartbreak. In Kerrville, the Guadalupe River rose 26 feet in just 45 minutes. More than 100 lives were lost, including those of children attending summer camps along the river.

Like so many across Texas, the team at Southern Botanical watched the news unfold with heavy hearts. Several of our clients, friends, and family members were directly impacted. Sitting idly as the tragedy deepened was not an option.

Our priority became clear: find a way to help our Hill Country neighbors.

Landscape Clearing & Debris Removal for Search and Rescue Efforts

At 5 a.m. on Tuesday, July 8, two of our Tree Care crews — based out of our Dallas and Carrollton offices — were dispatched to Hunt, TX. Their mission: support first responders by clearing storm-damaged landscapes and removing debris that was hampering search and rescue efforts. They spent two full days volunteering at Camp La Junta, one of several camps devastated by the floods.

Challenging Conditions During Storm Debris Cleanup

The work was physically demanding and emotionally difficult. As Tree Care Branch Manager Brian Spear shared, “It’s hard to put into words just how overwhelming it was to see the damage, the loss of life, and the families so deeply affected by this disaster.”

Leading with Integrity During Emergency Landscape Services

Tree Care Operations Manager Alex Holguin echoed that sentiment, emphasizing the strength of the crew’s response. “What happened was awful, and so many people were affected. But if there’s one thing we can be proud of, it’s how our crews represented Southern Botanical,” Holguin said. “I called the team I knew I could count on, and they showed up with urgency and pride. They demonstrated what it means to uphold Southern Botanical values with professionalism, integrity, and a genuine commitment to helping others. I’m very proud of our team.”

Supporting Disaster Relief Through Tree Removal Services

Though painful to witness the extent of the destruction, the team also experienced moments of connection and compassion. “What stood out just as powerfully was the incredible kindness and resilience of the local community,” Spear added. “Volunteers from all over came together with open arms to help complete strangers.”

Volunteers included fellow certified arborists from across the state. Holguin shared, “We worked alongside Texas Tree Transformations, another Dallas-based tree care company. Any other day, we are direct competitors, but when we were there, we were just two Texas companies trying to help.”

Helping Families and Honoring Lives Lost

In addition to on-the-ground support, Southern Botanical is donating a memorial tree to one of our long-time church clients where a victim’s family attends services. This tree will serve as a lasting place of remembrance and healing.

How You Can Help: Texas Flood Relief Resources and Donation Links

As a company rooted in service and care, we remain committed to supporting recovery efforts. We invite others to do the same, through professional help, donations, or simply keeping these families in your thoughts. Every act of compassion matters.

If you’re able, please consider donating to one of the verified organizations providing critical relief:

The road to recovery is long, but hope remains strong. We are deeply grateful to the members of our Dallas and Carrollton Tree Care teams who stepped up without hesitation. Their actions reflect the heart of Southern Botanical’s mission: to serve with integrity, compassion, and purpose, even in the most difficult moments.