In the Williamsburg neighborhood survey, community residents identified green space, parkland, and trees as crucial factors contributing to the quality of our neighborhood. Trees give beauty, elegance and tranquility to our streets, softening the stark outlines of manmade structures. In addition, trees offer shade and cooling, create habitat for birds and other wildlife, prevent erosion and excessive runoff, and – by absorbing carbon dioxide – improve air quality. The leaf mulch produced by the trees sustains other plants as well as other trees. Landscaping and trees can increase property values by 10-15 percent.

These are all powerful arguments in favor of increased emphasis on preserving Arlington's tree canopy, which declined rapidly over the last three decades:

Decline in the Tree Canopy in Arlington County*

* Data provided by Jamie Bartelan, Arlington County Landscaping and Forestry Section
** Represents amount of land covered by tree canopy

Fortunately, the County Board has adopted trees as one of its Countywide initiatives. In his New Year address (2002), County Board Chairman Christopher Zimmerman identified what he called our "green infrastructure" -- Arlington's urban forest -- as one of his three top priorities:

"Arlington is often admired for its greenery. Some of our most desirable neighborhoods are those that are most heavily treed. Unfortunately, as has been known for some time, Arlington has been losing its tree canopy for many years. The impact of development, newer construction methods, and pollution has taken a heavy toll. The County has tried to compensate through requirements in site plans and tree plantings on public land, but we have only slowed the loss.

"In 2002, we will begin an effort to reverse the trend with a systematic approach to the problem of urban re-forestation. We will develop and implement a plan to make Arlington a model community for tree preservation, planting and development. This effort will include both public and private trees. It will utilize regulatory tools, incentives, and education to promote the planting of more trees and ensure the maintenance of those we have.

"We will develop Arlington's first master plan for trees. We'll establish new standard conditions for site plans, re-visit the question of a tree ordinance, and set new standards for tree planting in County government projects. We'll tackle the problem of invasive vegetation that threatens many of the trees in our parks, and we'll improve maintenance of trees on public property. And, we'll use this year's Neighborhood Day to distribute information - and free trees."

In its Fiscal Year 2003 budget, the County Board set aside additional funds to protect and expand Arlington County's dwindling tree canopy. More Information

What This Means for Us: $$. Some of these additional budget funds are earmarked for a much-expanded street trees program – an existing program to plant trees in median strips and other little pieces of County-owned real estate in Williamsburg. The County point of contact for this program is Rebecca Feldberg (703-228-6521).Civic associations and individuals are encouraged to submit proposals to the committee; they usually accept proposals through July of each year.

It was this program that planted the median on Williamsburg Boulevard just to the north and west of WCA boundaries. We asked that this planting be continued along the median within our boundaries; Ms Feldberg plans to wait a while to see whether the newly-planted trees thrive and then will turn her attention to our part of the median strip. We are also looking into this program as a source of landscaping funds for the Williamsburg Boulevard project and for the medians to be created on Powhatan Street as part of the Powhatan Street Traffic Calming project.

The County has published guidelines for the Street Tree Program, identifying areas eligible for planting and recommended types of trees. More Information

WCA has submitted the small triangles near the Williamsburg Circle as candidates for the Street Tree Program. More Information

How You Can Help: If you know of a place within our neighborhood that would benefit from a tree, you can propose it to the County by filling in an application. You can apply on your own, as an individual citizen, but priority is given to those projects endorsed by a civic association, PTA, or service organization. If you have a place and a tree in mind, but would like the Civic Association to propose it or to endorse a proposal you have already made, contact Ellen Jones (703-536-7626, before 8:00 PM please).

Related Programs In Arlington County
Commemorative Tree Program
Notable Tree Program
9/11 Memorial Trees
Arlington County Beautification Committee

Return Home