ARLINGTON COUNTY PUBLIC TREE PLANTING PROGRAM
APPLICATION GUIDELINES

The following are guidelines for developing an application for funding a Public Land Tree Planting Project. Suggested planting locations include community centers, county buildings, libraries, schools, street right-of-way and parks.

1. Each application for public tree planting is to be accompanied by a sketch, or map of suggested site locations, including number and preferred tree species. If assistance is needed for species selection, see the list below or contact the Park & Natural Resource Division at (703) 228-6521 or (703) 228-7744.

2. Projects should have the endorsement of a civic association, service club, PTA or community group.

3. Responsibility of maintenance (i.e. weeding, watering, mulching) should be indicated, whether it will be maintained by a local organization (PTA, civic, service, etc.), school maintenance crews or County gardening tree crews. Preference will be given to those projects that can be maintained by the community.

4. Projects must be approved by appropriate County agencies and should complement the neighborhood conservation plan (where one exists). Projects submitted on State right-of-ways require approval from VDOT.

5. All applications should be submitted by July 31. Those submitted after July 31will be considered for the fall of the following year.

6. Priorities of planting the proposed projects are based on the following:

• Maintenance: Priority given those projects maintained by groups other than County personnel.
• Receipt of Application: Projects are considered in the order they are received.
• Type of Site: Community center, county building, library, school, county streets, parks, state right-of-way, and other public property.
• Suitability of the site for tree planting.

CONSTRAINTS TO PLANTING

1. UNDERGROUND UTILITIES - Presence of underground sewer lines, storm drains, electric lines, etc. requires consultation and permission from various utility agencies before any landscape installation can be undertaken.

2. SIZE OF THE AREA - Many areas are too small and/or too narrow for adequate plant growth (especially tree roots). Grass strips must be at least four feet wide and preferably six feet before trees are installed.

3. CAR AND PEDESTRIAN SAFETY - Many areas cannot be landscaped because plants reduce visibility thus creating a safety problem. These sight/distance problems must be examined with future sizes of plant materials (especially evergreen trees) kept in mind.

4. OVERHEAD WIRES - Presence of overhead wires limits ultimate tree height, thus limiting the species of tree used in the area.

5. SITE CONDITIONS - Presence of poor soil, old road beds, salt, and other physical factors restricts or eliminates landscaping in some areas. Poor growth and increased mortality of trees is often related to poor site conditions.

6. SEPARATE JURISDICTIONS - County maintained streets are given priority planting over state or federal roads. All plantings on non-County rights-of-way require permission from the controlling agency. Added requirements for these areas usually delay project installment by at least one year.

7. FUTURE CONSTRUCTION - Areas where construction is planned (street widening, sidewalks, curb and gutter, sewer, etc.) should not be planted until the construction is complete.

8. PUBLIC VISIBILITY - Busy roadways with heavier traffic volume receive more attention than lightly traveled residential streets.

9. DAMAGE-PRONE AREAS - Areas subject to frequent vehicular accidents or excessive vandalism are usually not landscaped.

l0. MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS - Many projects are curbed or postponed due to limited availability of maintenance staff and funds to provide proper care. It does little good to install trees that will die in two years due to lack of water or post-planting attention. Consideration must also be given to the possible increased maintenance of the area surrounding the planted area (mowing for example).

SUGGESTED STREET TREES

SHADE TREES

• Ginko 70-90'
• Little Leaf Linden 60-80'
• London Plane Tree l20'
• Hackberry 40-60'
• Pin Oak 60-80'
• Red Maple (patented variety) 40-60'
• Willow Oak 60-80'
• Zelkova 60-80'
• Red Oak 60-75'
• Green Ash 50-60'
• Lacebark Elm 40-50'

ORNAMENTAL TREES

• Yoshino Cherry
• Scholar-Tree
• Kousa Dogwood
• Hop Hornbeam
• Yellowwood
• Amur Maple
• Redbud
• Serviceberry
• Fringetree
• Carolina Silverbell
• Sourwood
• Flowering Dogwood

EVERGREEN TREES

• American Holly
• Canadian Hemlock
• Foster's Holly
• Austrian Pine
• Leyland Cypress
• Eastern White Pine
• Serbian Spruce
• Nellie Stevens Holly

This is a list of preferred varieties that are commonly used for street tree plantings. These trees have been selected because of their ability to withstand urban conditions, desirable aesthetics and relatively low maintenance characteristics. Other species are occasionally used depending on special needs, environmental conditions and other considerations. This list is a suggestion list only. Many other species are appropriate, depending on location, and can be discussed with the project coordinator. Larger open space tree plantings allow for a much broader species selection. Selection and planting of evergreen trees is limited due to site distance conflicts or security precautions.

Application for the Public Tree Planting Program

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