Today, a 106 year old American Sycamore tree at 2228 Oxford St., Houston, TX 77008, listed on the Harris County Tree Registry, was cut down to make room for development. Appeals to the developer to be a community hero and save the thriving tree fell on deaf ears.

The Harris County Tree Registry provides recognition of historically significant trees in the county. Unfortunately, it does not, YET, provide any legal framework to protect the large, historic, heritage trees.  Many nonprofit organizations have attempted to seek protection for these trees.  

The residents of the Greater Heights want to petition Houston City Council to create an ordinance to protect and preserve these community treasures.

We need to come together as residents, community leaders, arborists, developers, builders, architects, preservationists, and community activists to collaborate on finding an amicable solution for sustainable development, respecting property rights, and also preserving historically, culturally important trees in our community.

The City of West University Place, Houston, TX has been successful in adopting an Historic Tree protection ordinance.  An example of its work can be found here:  http://www.westutx.gov/index.aspx?page=116

Please sign this petition to encourage our civic leaders to draft and pass an Historic Tree Protection Ordinance.