Cover Story: We’re on the Front Page

Over five sessions this spring, Tree Stewards visited two Arlington parks to sleeve nearly 1,000 saplings with biodegradable tubes that will protect from wind, wildlife, and chemicals until the trees can survive on their own. The bare-root trees were planted in November by contractors and volunteers from Tree Stewards of Arlington and Alexandria, Arlington Regional Master Naturalists and Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia.

This Arlington Connection cover story on the Lower Bluemont Park tree tubing team was prepared by author and photographer Eden Brown, a Tree Steward who also participated in the work. Thanks, Eden! 

The 78 hours of volunteer work by Tree Stewards was the up side of the decidedly down down-page story on Page 3 of the Arlington Connection describing the recent County Board’s unanimous vote to permit Accessory Dwelling Units within five feet of property lines over the objections of its own Urban Forestry Commission and the Arlington Tree Action Group. 

Tree experts and advocates argued that lot perimeter trees would likely be cut down to make room for these new buildings and suggested that incentives to preserve mature trees as well as requirements to monitor impacts to trees be added to the amendment. County staff declined to change the text.

Click here to see the May 22 issue of Arlington Connection.