tree | FFXnow - Part 5

Vienna moves forward with tree conservation plans

Published September 7, 2023 at 9:30AM | Updated March 8, 2024 at 7:08PM

Trees and a bench in Vienna's Wildwood Park (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

In an effort to reverse a decrease in the tree canopy, Vienna’s government is taking another step towards tree preservation and plantings. Last week, the town council discussed proposed amendments to enhance tree canopy, including moving forward with a tree conservation ordinance and the possible creation of an independent tree commission.

Town Attorney Steven Brigalia said the tree conservation ordinance would put the town in line with Fairfax County, which has had conservation rules since 1990. He said it would require builders to indicate which trees can and cannot be saved before cutting them.

News

Town of Vienna’s remaining trees are unusually healthy, inventory finds

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 30, 2023 at 11:00AM

Trees and a bench in Vienna's Wildwood Park (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Vienna’s tree canopy may be shrinking, but the trees still standing are actually doing quite well, a recently released town-wide inventory found.

About 88% of the 7,224 trees on public land examined by PlanIT Geo are in “fair” or “good” condition, the consultant told the Vienna Town Council when presenting its findings on June 20.

Countywide

County seeks grant funds to establish tree planting program for vulnerable communities

By Acacia James

Published June 9, 2023 at 11:00AM

Some trees line Leesburg Pike (Route 7) in Idylwood (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

In an effort to reduce heat islands in vulnerable communities, the Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services has applied for millions of dollars in grant funding to establish a street tree planting program.

The county will use its Vulnerability Index to identify communities in need of the program, according to county staff.

Countywide

Fairfax County is pushing to make parking lots and streetscapes greener

By Vernon Miles

Published May 25, 2023 at 3:30PM

Trees shade a local street in Tysons (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County’s parking lots and streetscapes could look a little greener.

At a land use policy committee meeting on May 16, planning staff proposed a new update to the county’s landscaping and screening ordinance — the first major change in 40 years — that would make developers add more green landscaping to more parking lots and street frontages.

News

Vienna may soon require developers to plant and preserve more trees

By Angela Woolsey

Published May 15, 2023 at 11:00AM

A tree on Branch Road in Vienna (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The Town of Vienna is ready to turn over a new leaf in its commitment to tree plantings and preservation.

In the hopes of reversing a significant decline in canopy coverage over the past decade, staff proposed a tree conservation ordinance to the Vienna Town Council last week that would require developers to preserve existing trees when possible.

Around Town

Volunteers wanted to plant cherry blossom trees in Tysons for Arbor Day

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 24, 2023 at 1:30PM | Updated April 27, 2023 at 11:36AM

A cherry tree in front of the Vita Apartments on the Plaza at Tysons Corner Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Updated at 11:35 a.m. on 4/27/2023 — With rain in the forecast tomorrow (Friday), the cherry tree plantings have been postponed to May 6, the Tysons Community Alliance announced today.

Earlier: This year’s cherry blossom season has come and gone, but in Tysons, the seeds for future flowers are about to take root.

News

Clifton’s Hemlock Park gets national recognition as home of oldest trees in Fairfax County

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 17, 2023 at 11:45AM

An approximately 20-acre portion of Hemlock Overlook Regional Park is being inducted into the national Old Growth Forest Network (photo by José Fernández for NOVA Parks)

About 20 acres of eastern hemlock trees rooted to the Bull Run River banks in Clifton will be formally recognized tomorrow (Tuesday) as likely the oldest trees in Fairfax County.

Believed to be at least 250 years old, the trees in Hemlock Overlook Regional Park are the first stand in the county and only the second in Northern Virginia to join the Old Growth Forest Network, a national nonprofit that aims to identify and protect the oldest known forests in every county in the U.S.

Around Town

Nonprofit offers native trees for McLean residents to plant in their yards

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 10, 2023 at 2:30PM

McLean homeowners pose with a tree planted as part of the Neighborhood Tree Program (courtesy McLean Tree Foundation)

With the first day of spring drawing ever closer, the McLean Tree Foundation is gearing up for another season of sprucing up the area’s tree canopy.

For a $100 fee, the local nonprofit is offering to help McLean homeowners plant growing native trees in their yards as part of its Neighborhood Tree Program, which is now in its ninth year.

Countywide

Plan to spruce up Fairfax County street tree population clears Board of Supervisors

By Vernon Miles

Published February 14, 2023 at 12:15PM | Updated March 24, 2023 at 2:37PM

Trees line Avenir Place in Dunn Loring (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

As Fairfax County pines for a better tree canopy, county staff is hoping a credit program expansion can spruce up the area’s street trees.

While developers could already a 10-Year Tree Canopy Credit for trees built on-site, trees in the public right-of-way aren’t eligible despite positive impacts on the environment and site development. At a meeting last week, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors raised no objection to an information item expanding eligibility to include trees.

News

Zoning code overhaul, tree canopy among Vienna Town Council’s top priorities for 2023

By Angela Woolsey

Published January 13, 2023 at 2:15PM

Trees by the Glyndon Park pickleball courts (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The Vienna Town Council is in agreement that it must finish rewriting the town’s zoning code by the end of 2023, but that’s where any unanimity on priorities for the coming year ends.

At its first regular meeting of the year on Monday (Jan. 9), the council voted 4-3 to set four top priorities for 2023: complete Code Create Vienna, develop a parks master plan, review the town’s noise ordinance, and explore ways to improve the local tree canopy.