Will Biloxi’s Oak Trees be Protected?

With all the construction in Biloxi, a number of trees have been cut down to make way for development, and some Biloxi residents are calling for better oversight for preserving trees. They voiced their concerns Tuesday with city officials over the large number of trees that have been leveled for developments, including the baseball stadium.

The majestic oak trees that line the Mississippi Gulf Coast have long been considered to be an icon and a source of our identity, but some residents feel they aren’t being protected by the city. A meeting is being held Wednesday after the City Council’s, which will go a long way to decide the fate of the oak trees. Many feel the existing tree ordinance either isn’t being enforced or needs to be modified to help protect the historic oaks from being destroyed during development. City officials say they are trying to find a balance between saving trees and stunting city growth.

Click on the video at left to watch our live report from Biloxi.