Arlington Comprehensive Plan Update Adopted 3-17-2015 | Page 103

the lowest tolerance to surrounding development. Many communities in the Cross Timbers region, including Arlington, have begun to realize the importance of remaining concentrated forest areas, and implementing ordinances that prevent clear-cutting land, establish lot tree requirements, and even reward developers who value preservation. Urban Forestry Arlington developed along the juncture of two distinct ecological regions: the Blackland Prairie and the Eastern Cross Timbers. The Eastern Cross Timbers, a narrow band of sandy soils, rolling hills, and densely-packed blackjack oaks and post oaks, separates the region of Blackland Prairies on the east from the Grand Prairies on the west. It runs through Arlington in a north-south direction. Although the Eastern Cross Timbers thrives in small pockets of undeveloped land throughout the city, this urban forest is threatened by rapid urbanization. Unfortunately, the Post Oak tree, the species most commonly affiliated with the Eastern Cross Timbers, has The city plays an active role in tree maintenance and beautification on both public and private land throughout Arlington. Tree preservation, replacement, landscaping, and irrigation are required in almost all new developments. Since 1999, the city has participated in Tree City USA, a program designed to promote natural beauty throughout urban areas. The city is also an active member of the Tree North Texas Initiative, which aims to plant 3 million trees in the region by 2022. The North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) monitors the progress of this program, and one can register trees planted to help meet the city’s goal of planting 30,000 trees. 97