By Mary Gillman, Tree Stewards of Arlington and Alexandria
Alexandria, VA – Most people don’t think too much about the value of trees but ample studies have shown that trees provide a myriad of benefits to the community, such as mitigating heat, reducing air pollution, and preventing toxic runoff that threatens our water. Trees also contribute to our general well-being by making our environment more livable, for humans and nature alike.
Unfortunately, there are far too many areas of Alexandria that aren’t experiencing these benefits. The Alexandria Beautification Commission (ABC) advocated for a Tree Equity Plan to help the city reach its goal of 40% canopy coverage, with most of the gains planned for underserved areas in the West End. With the realization that the 40% goal is virtually impossible by focusing on public lands alone, ABC teamed up with the Tree Stewards of Arlington and Alexandria to identify private properties interested in a partnership.
The Morgan Property apartment complexes (formerly known as the Hamlets) occupy a large footprint near Beauregard and contained lots of old-growth trees but have had little to no tree planting over the last several decades. In mid-2025, Liz Gelfer, ABC Vice Chair, and commission member and Tree Steward Russ Bailey walked each of the properties and hoped to use Lynbrook Apartments for the inaugural planting. Fortunately, the team at Morgan Properties was very excited about the partnership. The inaugural tree planting event took place in October with a goal of planting 25 trees. Alexandria provided the trees, and the Tree Stewards, ABC, Boy Scout Troop 129 and other volunteers put them in. The planting was a terrific success.
This May, the team walked the Lynbrook property to review how well our trees from last October were faring and to map out new planting locations for this October. Remarkably, 24 out of the 25 trees have not only survived but are thriving. The walk-through also provided a wonderful educational opportunity to review the importance of “right tree, right place,” maintaining visual interest and avoiding conflicts with power lines and hardscapes. With a target of planting 35 native trees in October 2026, at both the Lynbrook and Brookdale apartment complexes, we know we have our work cut out for us. But with the strong partnership between the city, ABC, and Tree Stewards, we are making a meaningful difference for our community.
As we head into the warmer months, please remember to water the trees near you – not only those on your property, but also those recently planted by the city.
The Tree Stewards are trained community volunteers who share a love of trees and a desire to help our community select and care for trees. We provide home visits to help homeowners determine “right tree, right place”; assist with hands-on tree planting and pruning; and conduct invasive plant removals. Join us as we begin forming the Fall 2026 Tree Stewards class! To express interest, email [email protected] and visit treestewards.org to stay informed.
Alexandria Beautification Commission Community Notice
Nominations are now open for the City of Alexandria’s 2026 Beautification Awards, which recognize residents, businesses, and community organizations that enhance the city’s appearance through sustainable landscaping, architecture, public art, and other visible improvements. A new category, Best Patriotic Native Plantings, celebrates America’s 250th anniversary by encouraging red, white, and blue native plant displays. Self-nominations are welcome. The nomination deadline is 11:59 p.m. on July 15, 2026. Learn more, review award criteria, and submit a nomination at alexandriava.gov/beautification.
