Leaves and needles that clog local gutters
Trees common across this region drop various organic materials into drainage systems throughout the year, though the exact mix differs across Texas. Broadleaf live oak, pecan, cedar elm, crape myrtle, and post oak grow alongside conifers like loblolly pine and ashe juniper. Live oak leaves drop during spring rather than fall, dropping thick foliage right when seasonal rains begin. Pecan trees drop heavy shells, while oaks drop sticky spring catkins that clump together inside metal channels. In winter, ashe juniper produces heavy pollen that settles into a thick film within sitting water. Loblolly pine needles form woven mats that trap fine debris and block proper water flow into every downspout.