By Anne Bodine

The County’s Urban Forester Vincent Verweij reported in our March meeting that Lyon Park’s tree canopy had grown—per the County’s newest survey of comparing tree canopy countywide from 2014 to 2023—from 29% to 33%.  LPCA members expressed some skepticism about the data and the county’s overall stewardship; many felt Arlington wasn’t doing enough to save mature trees.  Brooke Alexander, tree canopy coordinator for Ashton Heights, presented maps showing trends for mature trees (those 40’ or taller, compared to the County’s survey which measures canopy at the 12’ level).  

Lyon Park’s tall trees (40’ or taller) grew only 1% and Ashton Heights’ grew only 4%, these numbers would be much higher but for the impact of development (disease/invasives/age/owner convenience) also causing tree loss). One block of N. Edgewood (just north of LPCA) illustrates the problem.  Google Earth shows the teardowns in real time; the survey shows loss (orange), new growth (lime green) and dark green (no change).  

Alexander pressed Verweij to help us set goals—and I pressed for county support to achieve them—so Lyon Park and Ashton Heights could help us make the overall county goal of 40% canopy (NOTE:  Rosslyn is only 19%).  He followed up after our meeting to suggest a standard for low-density residential areas set by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (MWCOG) of 55%.  LPCA and AHCA will continue to work with the Forestry office—please pitch in to water, care for, and plant trees (especially oaks as a keystone species) so we get from 33% to 55%!