According to the Arbor Day Foundation, trees help reduce energy costs, help with stormwater management and erosion control, create green spaces, boost property values, and improve community pride. 

In February, one of our county residents recognized that a grand oak was in danger of potentially being cut down and notified the county. The county tagged it and communicated that it was a protected tree and should not be cut down. Fast forward to today, and it has been cut down. It is clear to me that our tree ordinance doesn’t have enough “teeth” to get developers and/or property owners to make the effort to design and build around these majestic trees so they can be preserved. The continuation of the flagrant disregard of our tree ordinances must end. 

Therefore, Council Member Clint Elliott and I are working with Georgetown County to enhance our tree ordinance to encourage developers and property owners to work around these majestic and protected trees. While enforcement is difficult, we will continue to rely on our residents to alert the Planning and Zoning Department of any offenders and to proactively flag these trees prior to any clearcutting. Our beautiful quality of life, healthy drinking water, Comprehensive Plan, prevention of flooding, property values, and the future of our children’s health and wellness demand that we proactively enhance our local ordinances to protect our trees.