Arlington Forestry

Arlington Forestry Arlington Forestry is the Facebook presence of Arlington's urban forestry department, for posts on the latest forestry science, and pictures of great trees.
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View terms of use: https://www.arlingtonva.us/terms-conditions/#policy Arlington has a long history of having incredible trees. With 1200 acres of County parkland, public buildings, Public Schools, regional parkland and the contribution of great growing spaces from the federal property (Parkway, Arlington National Cemetery) we have plenty of opportunity for having great trees. Most of our trees exist on private property, and working with our citizens to maintain the beauty and sustainability of our community is crucial to our program. Arlington Forestry is the Facebook presence of Arlington's urban forestry department. Pictures of interesting trees and tree-related stuff, as well as new programs and documents are posted here. Feel free to ask questions and enjoy the galleries of pictures of champion trees and tree curiosities around the County. The forestry department works on maintaining tree canopy around the county by replanting in public right of way through parks, through the Tree Canopy Fund, managed by Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment, and through outreach and education to Arlington's residents. We work closely with the following groups in helping maintain a healthy forest:

Tree Stewards, a dedicated group providing education for private citizens on tree care and planting in Northern Virginia. http://treestewards.org/

The Arlington master naturalists, who work with us on horticulture and ecological education:

http://www.armn.org/

Our invasive plants program, which helps keep our region maintain its unique and native plant composition:

http://environment.arlingtonva.us/trees/invasive-plants/invasive-plant-program/

And a very active commission, the Forestry and Natural Resources Commission, which recommends actions to the County Board:

https://commissions.arlingtonva.us/forestry-natural-resources-commission/

Currently, we are working on updating our Urban Forest Master Plan, through a planning process called the Forestry and Natural Resources Plan. Learn more here:

https://projects.arlingtonva.us/fnrp/

We also work closely with Arlington County Schools to help maintain and plant trees on Schools property. Please remember to follow our social media policy for posting:

https://newsroom.arlingtonva.us/social-media-general-terms-use/

Operating as usual

The Forestry and Natural Resources Commission has been meeting throughout the pandemic (though virtually). Come join the...
05/19/2021
Forestry and Natural Resources Commission (FNRC) - Advisory Groups & Commissions

The Forestry and Natural Resources Commission has been meeting throughout the pandemic (though virtually). Come join them on a future meeting. Agendas and dates can be found here:

https://commissions.arlingtonva.us/forestry-natural-resources-commission/

The Forestry and Natural Resources Commission (FNRC), formerly known as the Urban Forestry Commission (UFC) provides the County Board with advice and recommendations to improve the health and sustainability of Arlington’s urban forest, including: Programs and policies for the planting and maintena...

05/17/2021
Hemlock Woolly Adelgid was found again in Arlington. This pest makes a home in our native Hemlocks, and can sometimes ca...
05/14/2021

Hemlock Woolly Adelgid was found again in Arlington. This pest makes a home in our native Hemlocks, and can sometimes cause significant decline or death in the trees. We're keeping an eye on them to see what level of infestation we're experiencing.

Learn more about this insect here:

https://extension.umd.edu/resource/hemlock-woolly-adelgid-trees

Hemlock Woolly Adelgid was found again in Arlington. This pest makes a home in our native Hemlocks, and can sometimes cause significant decline or death in the trees. We're keeping an eye on them to see what level of infestation we're experiencing.

Learn more about this insect here:

https://extension.umd.edu/resource/hemlock-woolly-adelgid-trees

They're usually too high up to see, but tuliptree flowers sometimes present themselves at eye level. They never disappoi...
05/12/2021

They're usually too high up to see, but tuliptree flowers sometimes present themselves at eye level. They never disappoint, which is probably why its our profile picture, too!

They're usually too high up to see, but tuliptree flowers sometimes present themselves at eye level. They never disappoint, which is probably why its our profile picture, too!

I never get tired of baby oak leaves!
05/10/2021

I never get tired of baby oak leaves!

I never get tired of baby oak leaves!

Our crews trained division staff on safe chainsaw handling, and aerial lifts. Many people feel like they're ready for th...
04/19/2021

Our crews trained division staff on safe chainsaw handling, and aerial lifts. Many people feel like they're ready for this height, until they're actually in it! It truly challenges your fear of heights at over 90 ft tall!

Our crews trained division staff on safe chainsaw handling, and aerial lifts. Many people feel like they're ready for this height, until they're actually in it! It truly challenges your fear of heights at over 90 ft tall!

Have you ever wondered how you can help advocate for trees on private development? Special exception projects, known as ...
04/16/2021

Have you ever wondered how you can help advocate for trees on private development? Special exception projects, known as Site Plans, are great opportunities for input from the public. You can see the current projects here:

https://projects.arlingtonva.us/private-development/

Have you ever wondered how you can help advocate for trees on private development? Special exception projects, known as Site Plans, are great opportunities for input from the public. You can see the current projects here:

https://projects.arlingtonva.us/private-development/

Another early-flowering native tree is the serviceberry, or "Shadbush". Shadbush was named for the flowers blooming when...
04/12/2021

Another early-flowering native tree is the serviceberry, or "Shadbush". Shadbush was named for the flowers blooming when the American Shad started running in our rivers.

Another early-flowering native tree is the serviceberry, or "Shadbush". Shadbush was named for the flowers blooming when the American Shad started running in our rivers.

Dogwoods are blooming! Dogwoods are the official tree of the Commonwealth, and one fun fact is that the "flower" is only...
04/09/2021

Dogwoods are blooming! Dogwoods are the official tree of the Commonwealth, and one fun fact is that the "flower" is only the middle of what most people see as flowers. The white part are merely the attractive packaging of the flower.

Dogwoods are blooming! Dogwoods are the official tree of the Commonwealth, and one fun fact is that the "flower" is only the middle of what most people see as flowers. The white part are merely the attractive packaging of the flower.

Another early-flowering tree is the Red Maple. With its tiny flowers, it does create a beautiful haze over the entire tr...
04/02/2021

Another early-flowering tree is the Red Maple. With its tiny flowers, it does create a beautiful haze over the entire tree. When you look up close, you can really find its beauty.

Another early-flowering tree is the Red Maple. With its tiny flowers, it does create a beautiful haze over the entire tree. When you look up close, you can really find its beauty.

Unfortunately, sometimes people damage the trees in our natural areas. Our trees are protected by the Tree and Shrub Ord...
03/31/2021

Unfortunately, sometimes people damage the trees in our natural areas. Our trees are protected by the Tree and Shrub Ordinance, but if we do not catch folks in the act, it's hard to address the issue. Our parks are for all of our enjoyment, but please remind people who may be damaging trees, that this is not permitted.

You can read the Tree and Shrub Ordinance here: https://environment.arlingtonva.us/trees/trees-shrubs-ordinance/

Unfortunately, sometimes people damage the trees in our natural areas. Our trees are protected by the Tree and Shrub Ordinance, but if we do not catch folks in the act, it's hard to address the issue. Our parks are for all of our enjoyment, but please remind people who may be damaging trees, that this is not permitted.

You can read the Tree and Shrub Ordinance here: https://environment.arlingtonva.us/trees/trees-shrubs-ordinance/

When the cherry trees bloom in our region, they tend to steal the show, but Magnolias often bloom at the same time, putt...
03/30/2021
Our First Flowering Trees - Environment

When the cherry trees bloom in our region, they tend to steal the show, but Magnolias often bloom at the same time, putting up quite a fight for the crown of showstopping tree! Learn more about these amazing trees here: https://environment.arlingtonva.us/2015/04/our-first-flowering-trees/

With spring in the air, trees and flowers popping up everywhere, let’s talk about the origin of flowering plants, specifically, one of the original flowering trees: the Magnolia. Driving around Arlington around April, and even later, you will see these trees scattered throughout the landscape. Nat...

We got our Growth Award sticker! 17 years going strong, expanding our reach in our program, of the 24 years as a Tree Ci...
03/16/2021

We got our Growth Award sticker! 17 years going strong, expanding our reach in our program, of the 24 years as a Tree City USA!

We got our Growth Award sticker! 17 years going strong, expanding our reach in our program, of the 24 years as a Tree City USA!

New trees going in in Clarendon!
03/10/2021

New trees going in in Clarendon!

New trees going in in Clarendon!

A webinar coming up this Wednesday about tree equity and health, in the context of climate change. Check it out here:htt...
03/09/2021
Urban Forest Connections Webinars - US Forest Service Research & Development

A webinar coming up this Wednesday about tree equity and health, in the context of climate change. Check it out here:

https://www.fs.fed.us/research/urban-webinars/

The Forest Service's Urban Forest Connections webinar series brings experts together to discuss the latest science, practice, and policy on urban forestry and the environment. These webinars are open to all. Past webinar presentations and recordings are available below.

Arbor Day is on April 30 this year! How are you planning to celebrate? We are planning more scaled-back ideas, and there...
03/08/2021
Celebrate at arborday.org

Arbor Day is on April 30 this year! How are you planning to celebrate? We are planning more scaled-back ideas, and there are some great ideas on the Arbor Day website, even if you are not able to plant a tree. Check them out here!

https://www.arborday.org/celebrate/

Celebrate National Arbor Day every year on the last Friday in April. Learn how you can celebrate Arbor Day in your community.

A great post on how to take care of your soil, and how to remediate it. This works for pretty much all plants, including...
03/03/2021
Building Your Soil

A great post on how to take care of your soil, and how to remediate it. This works for pretty much all plants, including trees!

https://mgnv.org/2021/03/03/building-your-soil/

Learn about adaptive strategies that gardeners can take to improve their soil. Maintaining the health of our soil is the primary strategy for climate resilience. As the second largest ecosystem aft…

I hope y'all are ready for the incredible brood of Cicadas coming in! Here's a great article on their life cycle, and wh...
03/01/2021
Brood X Periodical Cicadas | University of Maryland Extension

I hope y'all are ready for the incredible brood of Cicadas coming in! Here's a great article on their life cycle, and what impact they might have on our trees: https://extension.umd.edu/ipm/brood-x-periodical-cicadas#

Periodical Cicadas: Brood X is Coming in 2021By: Stanton GillSo much focus has been on the economy and the Covid situation let’s move forward to what is happening in the insect world this spring. First, take a minute and drift back to 2004. The air was “abuzz” with the sound of the 17-year per...

A collaboration with the Pentagon led to an invasive plant clearing and tree planting project, along Boundary Channel. I...
02/12/2021

A collaboration with the Pentagon led to an invasive plant clearing and tree planting project, along Boundary Channel. It's already looking great!

New trees for the Long Bridge Park Aquatic Center! Being stored in mulch before planting.
02/10/2021

New trees for the Long Bridge Park Aquatic Center! Being stored in mulch before planting.

New trees for the Long Bridge Park Aquatic Center! Being stored in mulch before planting.

Don't get any ideas now!
02/06/2021

Don't get any ideas now!

A friend just directed me to this gem of a handout, created by Virginia Department of Forestry in 1996. It certainly holds up! A handy and hilarious reference guide for what not to do if you want to keep a tree alive.

Check out this amazing guide on poisonous plants of Virginia! https://med.virginia.edu/brpc/wp-content/uploads/sites/274...
02/05/2021

Check out this amazing guide on poisonous plants of Virginia!https://med.virginia.edu/brpc/wp-content/uploads/sites/274/2021/01/SOCRATES-PROJECT-Jan2021.pdf

Check out this amazing guide on poisonous plants of Virginia!https://med.virginia.edu/brpc/wp-content/uploads/sites/274/2021/01/SOCRATES-PROJECT-Jan2021.pdf

We are reviewing current Tree Canopy Fund applications, and it's invigorating to see trees like this river birch, plante...
02/04/2021

We are reviewing current Tree Canopy Fund applications, and it's invigorating to see trees like this river birch, planted 7 years ago in Lyon Park, doing so well! Thanks for sharing, Tree Stewards!

We are reviewing current Tree Canopy Fund applications, and it's invigorating to see trees like this river birch, planted 7 years ago in Lyon Park, doing so well! Thanks for sharing, Tree Stewards!

A really comprehensive article on our largest native fruit tree.
01/27/2021
The Mad Scientist of Pawpaws – Garden & Gun

A really comprehensive article on our largest native fruit tree.

Largely the domain of foragers, the biggest edible fruit in the South has mostly been forgotten. A quietly obsessed Quaker from West Virginia has made it his life’s mission to change that

Learn about the State of the Commonwealth's Forest here!
01/27/2021

Learn about the State of the Commonwealth's Forest here!

The annual State of the Forest report gives an overview of VA's forests & shares stories about the work of VDOF & partners.

Story themes this year include:
🌳protecting trees against #invasivespecies
🌳trees for coastal resiliency
🌳emergency response

http://dof.virginia.gov/infopubs/_sof/SOF-2020_pub.pdf

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Arlington, VA
22206

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(703) 228-1863

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Comments

Do you have a recommendation for planting distance of red maples? (I know - overplanted, but we are replenishing a streetscape of red mapl.) My impetus is to try to plant as close as possible without jeopardizing the tree, but a resident has said that red maple should be 25 feet apart. I can't find a lot of precise guidance. Casey says 20 feet from large and 10 feet from small.
Time to water!