Apple Inc. is developing a new campus at the Robinson Ranch property located at 6900 West Parmer Lane in North Austin.  According to a recent report , the development will remove “about 1,500 trees, 187 of which are considered to have protected or heritage status” based on Austin’s Heritage Tree Ordinance.  Phase one of the development is underway and tree removal has begun!

Based on a 15-year old agreement for the Robinson Ranch property, the City of Austin is allowing Apple to use 2004 code instead of today’s stricter code.  Under today’s code, Apple would NOT be allowed to remove heritage and protected trees and would be required to replant significantly more trees. 

Heritage trees are larger and older native trees that have survived droughts, thunderstorms, and diseases.  They absorb carbon dioxide and other harmful gasses, produce oxygen, moderate temperatures by providing shade during scorching hot summers, provide habitat and food for animals, and help prevent erosion during heavy rainstorms.

As the climate gets hotter and drier in Central Texas, smaller and younger trees are more likely to succumb to increasing temperatures and decreasing rainfall.  Heritage trees are more resilient and produce more benefits per tree compared to younger and smaller trees.

Even so, preserving, planting, and nurturing smaller and younger trees is essential to replenish forests and replace older trees that die from disease, drought, damage, and development.

Austin’s urban tree forest and Hill Country forests not only benefit people, wildlife, and ecosystems in Austin and Central Texas, they also help remove carbon dioxide and other harmful gasses produced outside Central Texas.

Apple is the richest company in the world and received $62 million in state and local tax abatements for the Robinson Ranch campus!  Apple has the resources to save all heritage and protected trees at the campus and replace all other trees removed with larger healthy native trees.

Please sign this petition to urge Apple to save all heritage and protected trees and replace all other trees removed with larger native trees, per current city code, at its Robinson Ranch campus.

Thank you!

SaveOurTreesATX