As Georgetown Grows, Residents Rally to Protect Its Historic Trees

GEORGETOWN, TX — Georgetown, Texas, renowned for its small-town charm, historic architecture, and vibrant community life, is experiencing a rapid transformation. Once a quiet Hill Country city known for its festivals and red poppies, Georgetown has now become one of the fastest-growing communities in the country.

According to the latest population data, Georgetown’s population has surged by 66.82% since 2020, with an annual growth rate of 8.71%, bringing its 2025 population to an estimated 114,687 residents. But with this explosive growth comes a difficult balancing act — how does a city expand responsibly while protecting the natural landscape that made it desirable in the first place?

For many in Georgetown, the answer begins and ends with the trees.

Balancing Development and Preservation

Growth in Georgetown has led to an uptick in new developments, infrastructure projects, and residential construction — many of which require large-scale clearing of land. And while progress is essential for accommodating new families and businesses, residents have voiced concerns over what’s being lost in the process.

In response, the city enforces preservation regulations outlined in Georgetown’s Unified Development Code (UDC). These guidelines include standards for protecting heritage and significant trees, as well as rules governing landscaping, buffering, and post-construction replanting.

However, regulations alone haven’t eliminated community anxiety. “Just because there are codes in place doesn’t mean they’re always followed or enforced in a meaningful way,” one longtime resident shared during a public meeting. “We’ve seen beautiful old trees taken down in the name of ‘progress.’”

Instances where mature trees were cleared — either legally through mitigation payments or in gray areas of enforcement — have prompted calls for stronger protections, better public accountability, and a more proactive urban forest strategy.

Urban Forest Master Plan on the Horizon

In 2024, the city announced it was considering the creation of an Urban Forest Master Plan in Georgetown. This plan would serve as a comprehensive roadmap for Georgetown’s tree canopy management, including:

Guidelines for integrating trees into development plans
Inventorying tree species and health
Strategies for public education and engagement
Long-term environmental cost-benefit analyses

According to city officials, the plan will help Georgetown evaluate the “true value” of its tree assets — including their role in stormwater management, climate mitigation, and quality of life.

As part of the early planning phase, residents and stakeholders have been invited to weigh in. The goal, according to the city, is to design a preservation framework that’s as community-driven as it is environmentally sound.

A Growing Grassroots Movement

Even outside of city hall, interest in tree preservation is gaining traction.

Community-based groups like TreeFolks, the Georgetown Project, and local garden clubs are hosting tree giveaways, planting workshops, and youth education programs. Events like “Ready, Set, Plant!” — typically held in the fall — offer volunteers the chance to reforest public areas and contribute to the city’s green infrastructure.

“We’ve seen a real shift in mindset,” says a volunteer coordinator with TreeFolks. “People are no longer just thinking about trees in their yards. They’re thinking about canopy coverage, storm resilience, urban heat — all the things trees provide that we can’t afford to lose.”

The Williamson County Native Plant Society has also increased outreach efforts to educate homeowners about native species and the ecological importance of large, mature trees.

The Economic Case for Preservation

While the environmental benefits of trees are well-documented — shade, air purification, wildlife habitat — their economic impact is often overlooked.

According to a comprehensive report by the Texas A&M Forest Service, urban trees in Texas cities increase nearby property values by an average of 3–15%, depending on tree size and placement.

Additionally, well-placed shade trees can reduce residential cooling costs by up to 30%, offering long-term savings while also decreasing strain on the city’s electrical grid during peak summer months.

Other financial benefits include:

Reduction in stormwater runoff
Lower soil erosion
Decreased pavement maintenance from shaded streets
Attraction of eco-conscious homebuyers

In short, trees are not a decorative afterthought — they’re a form of living infrastructure.

What Residents Can Do

Preserving Georgetown’s tree canopy is a shared responsibility — one that doesn’t fall solely on developers or city officials.

Homeowners can:

Consult with certified arborists before removing large trees
Report unauthorized tree removals to city code enforcement
Participate in city-led tree surveys or urban forest planning events
Opt for native species when landscaping
Attend public forums regarding zoning or land use changes

Many residents are also pushing for local tree service companies to adopt ethical care standards, including refusing to perform unnecessary tree removals or tree trimming — a harmful practice that permanently damages a tree’s structure.

A Community Rooted in Values

Georgetown’s growth may be inevitable, but the way it grows is still a choice.

By valuing trees not as obstacles, but as assets — and by recognizing their place in both the past and future of the city — Georgetown has an opportunity to become a model for other rapidly developing communities across Texas.

Efforts to pass an Urban Forest Master Plan, enforce smart regulations, and educate the next generation all point toward one shared belief: that a thriving city and a thriving canopy can grow side by side.

Looking Ahead

As construction cranes dot the skyline and new neighborhoods take shape, Georgetown is quietly redefining what responsible growth looks like.

By placing its trees at the center of that vision — not the margins — the city is doing more than preserving shade. It’s protecting identity, history, and future well-being for everyone who calls Georgetown home.

Tree Scouts is deeply embedded in the Central Texas community, proudly supporting conservation as an ongoing donor to EarthShare Texas — a nonprofit coalition dedicated to protecting natural resources across the state.

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