Tree News

Developer of Collin Creek in Plano hosts giveaway of one special tree

Trees in Texas have taken a beating in 2021.

Photo by Deena in Oak Forest

Arbor Day 2021 falls on April 30, and a Plano developer is marking the date by giving away a tree.

Centurion American, the company that's redeveloping the area formerly known as Collin Creek Mall, is hosting a tree giveaway, as part of its commitment to create and maintain green spaces along US-75.

The company is hosting a contest in which one North Texas family wins a 45-gallon Cedar Elm tree. Interested parties can register at CollinCreek.com from April 30 through May 7. A winner will be selected and notified by May 14.

The Cedar Elm is a hardy native Texas tree, with small, dark green leaves that turn golden yellow in the fall. The tree grows 1.5 to 2.5 feet annually until it reaches 40 to 50 feet at maturity. It can withstand adverse conditions, tolerating both drought and wet soil. According to Texas A&M, it's the most common elm tree in Texas, growing widely in East, South, and Central Texas.

Centurion American is redeveloping Collin Creek into a mixed-use lifestyle district with residences, retail, dining, and entertainment. It will also include 8.9 acres of parks and 1.6 miles of walking trails.

During the demolition phase, Centurion saved dozens of mature 25- to 40-year old trees from the grounds. According to a release, they're being kept and cared for, and will be replanted as progress continues so there will be mature trees in the new Collin Creek development.

Tree giveaways are not new in North Texas. The city of Dallas has sponsored giveaways of thousands of trees distributed to residents.

However, those trees were scrappy little five-gallon trees, about 5 feet tall, and it was left to residents to plant the trees themselves.

This Collin Creek giveaway involves a 45-gallon cedar elm tree, more than 10 feet tall, and valued at about $350-$450. If you can find one; with all of the trees downed by tornadoes and the big February freeze, nurseries are experiencing shortages in supply.

The prize also includes delivery, professional planting by an area nursery, and a one-year warranty from the grower.

"Our trees in North Texas have recently taken quite a beating," says Courtney Morrow, director of marketing and communications for Centurion. "Green space is important to Plano and this development, we're excited about the opportunity to bring some life back to the space."

nature sustainability

population explosion

7 booming Dallas neighbors see biggest population growth in U.S.

City of Denton, TX - City Hall/Facebook

Denton had the biggest population growth rate in Dallas-Fort Worth from 2022 to 2023.

Denton, Mansfield, McKinney, and more North Texas cities are among the fastest-growing places in the country, according to a new population growth study by SmartAsset.

The report, "These Cities Saw the Largest Growth in Population – 2024 Study," examined U.S. Census population estimates for 2023, 2022, and 2018 to determine one-year and five-year population changes for 610 U.S. cities with populations of at least 65,000 residents in 2023 (where the most recent data was available).

Silver Spring, Maryland had the No. 1 biggest population boom nationwide from 2022 to 2023, SmartAsset found. The Washington, D.C. suburb grew 12.86 percent year-over-year, bringing the city's total population from 75,313 to 84,996 residents in 2023.

Denton took the lead over all other Dallas-Fort Worth cities with the 16th-largest one-year population growth rate in the U.S., at 5.32 percent. Denton gained over 8,000 residents from 2022 to 2023, bringing the city's total population to 158,361 in 2023.

This should come as no surprise to those who already live in Denton, who may know their hometown was ranked one of the safest suburbs in America.

Mansfield trailed close behind with a 4.16 percent increase in population during that same period, which landed it the No. 26 spot in the one-year population change analysis. The city gained 3,189 new residents in that time, adding up to a total population of 79,775 residents in 2023.

McKinney appeared farther down the list as No. 49 with just a 2.89 percent one-year growth rate from 2022 to 2023, and a total population of 213,504 residents.

Only four other Dallas-Fort Worth cities appeared in the top 100 fastest growing cities in the U.S. from 2022 to 2023:

No. 61 – Frisco (2.48 percent increase)
No. 72 – Rowlett (2.48 percent)
No. 73 – Lewisville (2.17 percent)
No. 99 – Flower Mound (1.73 percent)

The report suggested major population shifts in communities like Denton or Mansfield can result in "a variety of interwoven economic and social impacts."

"The magnitude of the population change can affect demand for businesses and services, which in turn may impact costs – or even the availability of such amenities," the report's author wrote. "Similarly, the relative age of the population can determine the strength or weakness of the local job market, as well as have an impact on local culture, economic trajectory, tax base and more."

Fast-growing cities elsewhere in Texas
Texas cities dominated the top 10 list of cities where population grew the most from 2022 to 2023.

New Braunfels, a San Antonio suburb, ranked No. 2 nationally with an 12.49 percent one-year population boom, and a 29.68 percent growth rate from 2018 to 2023. The city gained 12,318 new residents in that time, adding up to a total population of 110,961 residents in 2023.

Just two spots behind New Braunfels is the North Austin suburb of Georgetown (No. 4), which grew 11.34 percent to 96,317 residents in 2023. According to the report's five-year population change analysis, Georgetown ranked seventh with a 29.85 percent growth rate.

The Houston suburbs of Atascocita and Conroe ranked No. 5 and No. 9, respectively. Atascocita's total population grew to 119,502 residents in 2023, which represented a 11.03 percent growth rate from 2022, and a whopping 38.56 percent population increase since 2018. Conroe's 6.73 percent one-year population increase paled in comparison, but the city grew 23.49 percent during the five-year period from 2018 to 2023.

The top 10 U.S. cities where population grew the most from 2022 to 2023 are:

No. 1 – Silver Spring, Maryland
No. 2 – New Braunfels, Texas
No. 3 – Glen Burnie, Maryland
No. 4 – Georgetown, Texas
No. 5 – Atascocita, Texas
No. 6 – Pine Hills, Florida
No. 7 – Elgin, Illinois
No. 8 – Lehi, Utah
No. 9 – Conroe, Texas
No. 10 – Dale City, Virginia

population growth reports smartasset dallas fort worth denton suburbs mansfield