By Russ Bailey, ABC Commissioner
Alexandria, VA – On Saturday, October 11, trees provided by the City of Alexandria were planted at Lynbrook Apartments. This was the first time that the City provided a substantial number of trees for planting on private property as part of its effort to fulfill the City’s tree canopy goals.
The idea of providing City trees for planting on private property, including neighborhoods with housing serving residents with low and moderate incomes, was conceived as part of a Tree Equity initiative by the Alexandria Beautification Commission (ABC).
“We want to ensure every neighborhood in the City benefits from healthy tree coverage, including the West End,” said ABC Chair Eleanor Trice. “It’s hard for Alexandria to meet its canopy goals and address urban heat islands if trees only go on public land.” By investing in tree equity, we can ensure all communities, regardless of income or demographics, have access to the cooling, air quality, and aesthetic benefits of urban greenery, thereby fostering a more beautiful, healthier, more sustainable, and equitable city for all residents.
Twenty-five native canopy trees were put in at Lynbrook. Members of the Tree Stewards of Arlington and Alexandria oversaw the plantings. Scout Troop 129 members provided much of the planting power, aided by other community volunteers. In two and a half hours all the trees were put in their new homes, watered, steadied by stakes, and mulched.
ABC Vice Chair Elizabeth Gelfer, who with commission member Russ Bailey organized the event, expressed ABC’s hope that the public/private effort will expand to other properties. “We’d like to continue in the West End at least to start, as there are several ideal spots along the Beauregard corridor where property owners welcome new trees,” said Gelfer. She also pointed out the native trees that are being put in—oaks, sycamores, persimmons, hackberries, and dogwoods—are consistent with the older trees in the neighborhood and will best support the local birds and other wildlife.
The results of the Lynbrook planting show that the public tree on private property plan is off to a good start.
