Newsroom Arlington County Recognizes — And Is Recognized For — Its Trees

Arlington VA

21 April, 2021

12:44 PM

Description

Press release from the Arlington County Government: April 20, 2021 Arlington has more than 750,400 trees of at least 122 species that provide $1 million in environmental benefits to the County annually in the form of pollution removal, carbon storage, energy savings, and avoided stormwater runoff, and are valued at $1.41 billion total. On Tuesday, April 20, 32 of these trees will be designated as Notable Trees by the Arlington County Board. "The COVID-19 pandemic has forced us to slow down. Most of us have been spending lots of time outdoors in our parks and on our trails and noticing the effect of the natural environment on us and our well-being," said Arlington County Board Chair Matt de Ferranti. "The conservation of our trees is of high priority to us; this Notable Trees program highlights the great service to our tree canopy and our health." Adopt an Arlington Tree Arlington County has also developed a new program so Arlington residents can help the County's trees thrive through dry weather. Through the County's Adopt-a-Tree program, trees can be adopted wherever there is access to water, such as street trees in front of homes, to help keep trees healthy and strong and to grow Arlington's tree canopy. "Our weather has been very challenging, and our trees are beginning to show signs of the toll they have taken," said de Ferranti. "Community members have come forward asking how they can help, and we developed this program in response to those requests." Community members can also help save the County's trees through Arlington's Remove Invasive Plant programs. Arbor Day Tree Planting On Friday, April 30, there will also be an Arbor Day celebration at Carlin Springs Elementary School. At the event, the Virginia Department of Forestry will officially award Arlington its 24th consecutive Tree City USA designation, which is based on four core standards of tree stewardship, as well as its 17th consecutive Growth Award for demonstrating higher levels of tree care and community engagement. The multigenerational celebration will also feature student activities, a tree planting ceremony and an official Arbor Day Proclamation. "When we plant trees and take good care of them, we are giving future generations a gift that will provide beauty and make the environment and everyone's lives healthier," de Ferranti said. About Arlington's Notable Trees Since 1987, people have been nominating local trees for the Notable Tree designation based on a variety of criteria, including size, age, species or historical or community significance. More than 350 trees have been recognized overall. Tree Steward John Wingard has been coordinating this program since 2009, with many of the trees being both nominated and identified by Wingard. MORE: Learn about the Notable Tree Program The Notable Tree program is just one of a number of programs Arlington has developed to support trees, as trees are a key natural resource. Trees provide important value filtering air and water to improve our health, providing wildlife habitat, storing carbon to fight climate change, and of course, to beautify our community. 2019-2020 Notable Trees Winners This year's honorees include winners from the past two years. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic there was no ceremony in 2020. Blackgum, owned by 6th St S Dawn Redwood, owned by John Capps Northern red oak, owned by 3309 23rd Road N Northern red oak, owned by Laurence McKenny Oak, owned by Scott Pietan Pecan, owned by 5115 Little Falls Road Pin oak, owned by 4013 Lorcom Lane Post oak, owned by 745 26th St S Post oak, owned by 3412 21st Ave S River birch, owned by 1219 S Forest Dr Scarlet oak, owned by 3224 5th St S Shumard oak, owned by 4107 Lorcom Lane Silver maple owned by 2101 N Jefferson St Southern red oak, owned by 601 S Highland St Water oak, owned by Patricia Teutsch and John Malerich White mulberry, owned by Steve and Liza Hodskins White pine, owned by 1321 N Powhatan St White oak, owned by 5115 Little Falls Road White oak, owned by 5115 Little Falls Road White oak, owned by 1216 20th St S White oak, owned by 5600 22nd St N White oak, nominated by Rosamunda Ozgo Willow oak, owned by 4119 23rd St N Willow oak, owned by 5006 11th St N Willow oak, owned by 704 S George Mason Dr Willow oak, owned by 2329 N Edgewood St Willow oak, owned by 625 S Irving St Willow oak, owned by Barry Gale Yellow-poplar, owned by Arlington County at Fort CF Smith Yellow-poplar, owned by N Emerson St Yellow-poplar, owned by 2145 N Pollard St Yoshino cherry, owned by 1537 Key Blvd Arlington's goal is to plant as many trees as appropriate on public land and to encourage the community to plant trees on private land. All of this year's Notable Trees are on private property. Feelings of pride and conservation are just what Arlington wants to encourage and promote with its many tree programs. Although the "Notable Tree" designation does not give Arlington County any authority over trees on private property, they may be included in future civic association and neighborhood walking tours. To learn more about Arlington County's tree programs, or to nominate a Notable Tree, visit environment.arlingtonva.us/trees. And consider becoming a Tree Steward. All it takes is a love of trees and a desire to get involved. Forestry and Natural Resources Plan The in-progress Forestry and Natural Resources Plan, a sub-element of the Public Spaces Master Plan, will serve as the guiding document for Arlington County's management practices related to trees, plants, wildlife and more. This project will include a series of community engagement opportunities and draft updates. Get involved and learn more. This press release was produced by the Arlington County Government. The views expressed here are the author's own.