Gainesville and Alachua County are known for their beautiful tree canopy. Our towering live oaks, many of them over 200 years old, are part of what makes this community special. They provide shade, wildlife habitat, storm protection, cleaner air, and a sense of history that cannot be replaced once it is gone.

Unfortunately, across our area we are seeing an alarming trend: entire wooded areas are being clear cut for development, including trees that have stood for centuries.

Even more concerning, there are cases where:

The Alachua County Arborist is not invited to provide guidance on which trees should be preserved.
Large heritage trees — even those over 60 inches in diameter — are being removed without the special permits that are typically required.
Development plans prioritize clearing land quickly instead of designing around existing mature trees.

Once these trees are gone, they are gone forever. A 200-year-old tree cannot simply be replanted.

This is not about stopping growth or development. Growth is inevitable. But how we grow matters.

We are asking for a paradigm shift in how development happens in our community.

We call on developers, commissioners, planners, civil engineers, and construction companies to:

End the practice of clear cutting entire wooded areas whenever possible.
Design developments around existing mature trees, preserving as many as possible.
Require the Alachua County Arborist to be involved in evaluating sites before trees are removed.
Enforce permitting requirements for large heritage trees, including those over 60 inches in diameter.
Prioritize the preservation of historic and ecologically significant trees, particularly old-growth oaks.

Our tree canopy is one of Gainesville’s greatest natural assets. Protecting it protects the character, health, and future of our community.

Development and preservation do not have to be opposites. With thoughtful planning, both can exist together.

But that change starts with a shift in priorities.

We, the undersigned, call on local leaders and developers to commit to responsible development that respects and protects Gainesville’s irreplaceable trees.