Trees for Residents Program Improves Both Tree Canopy and Community

The Arlington County Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources is providing community members with an opportunity to test out their green thumbs.

On Oct. 15 and 16, the department’s Natural Resources Division will be distributing complimentary trees to Arlington residents as part of the county’s Trees for Residents program.

“It’s our effort to get more trees in the urban environment,” said Patrick Wegeng, an environmental landscape supervisor in the Natural Resources Division, and one of the program’s primary organizers. 

Trees for Residents is designed to improve the Arlington County tree canopy, while simultaneously fostering community and educating residents about tree care. Interested community members can request a complimentary tree through the program’s online ordering system. They can then pick up their trees at an open house at the county nursery on the designated weekend. 

The open house will include educational programming, which will teach the new tree owners how to stake, mulch, plant and identify their young trees.  This educational element is a recent addition to the program, and is provided by the Arlington and Alexandria Tree Stewards, a volunteer organization devoted to increasing and preserving the tree canopy. 

“We’re looking to educate people wherever possible,” said Bill Anhut, a Tree Steward and treasurer of the Lyon Park Citizens Association.

Education has become an increasingly important component of the program. In past years, many civic associations would simply take tree orders from local residents, without engaging them in the tree care and planting process. Community members would then pick up their trees from civic association distribution coordinators. The trees were distributed every May, in conjunction with Neighborhood Day. 

However, this year the program has been pushed back because trees have higher survival rates when planted in the fall. Program organizers hope that educating residents will increase tree survival rates as well. The educational outreach is also nurturing a stronger, more informed community.

“The most important thing that we’ve seen come out of this is that the neighbors start talking,” said Wegeng. “We have created, I think, positive dialogue.”

The program has helped to create a fuller tree canopy in an economically responsible way. Each tree distributed costs the county approximately $10, and 80 to 85 percent of distributed trees are estimated to survive. The quality of care residential trees receive is much higher than that given to county trees.

Currently, 900 trees have been requested. The county has approximately 300 remaining trees to distribute. Anyone can request a tree, but non-homeowners must confer with their residential property owners before placing a request. The trees are widely varied and residents can select their preferred species from several options.

“It’s a win-win for everyone,” said Nora Palmatier, an Arlington resident and president of the Arlington and Alexandria branch of Tree Stewards.  “It’s just a fantastic program and it’s so cost-effective.”

Community members can request a tree any time before Oct. 15 by visiting the Arlington County Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources website.