Arlington currently has Specimen Trees on private and public property, which received the designation through the County’s Trees and Shrubs Ordinance. Specimen Trees are protected from removal or injury. You can nominate your own tree for special protection under this ordinance at the following link:
Specimen Tree Protection Nomination Form
Specimen trees will be nominated once a year. The due date for specimen tree applications is September 30. You will hear by October 31 of that year whether your application will be sent to the County Board for review. Applications received after that date will be reviewed by foresters for the next year.
Applications may be rejected before the review date, if insufficient information is provided, or approval from the owner(s) of the tree is not obtained.
Tree category definitions and criteria for acceptance:
Heritage tree
Any tree that has been individually designated by the County Board to be of notable historic or cultural interest. A tree may qualify if accompanying documentation or explanation of the notable historic or cultural interest associated with this tree is provided.
Memorial Tree
Any tree that has been individually designated by the County Board to be a special commemorating memorial. A tree may qualify if accompanying documentation or explanation of the commemorative event that qualifies this tree for memorial status is provided.
Specimen Tree
Any tree that has been individually designated by the County Board to be notable by virtue of its outstanding size and quality for its particular species. A tree may qualify if it is at least 75% of the score of the smallest tree of that species on Arlington County's Notable Tree list. The factors assessed are tree circumference (feet or inches), tree height (feet), average crown spread (feet). If the tree species is not on Arlington County's Notable Tree list then the tree may qualify if it is at least 65% of the smallest tree on Virginia State List of 'Big Trees' score, of that particular species.
Street tree
Any tree that has been individually designated by the County Board and that grows in the street right-of-way.
A tree may qualify if it is 1) appropriate for its site (follows Arlington County Standards for Tree Planting) 2) has a condition rating of at least 60%, and 3) is of a mature size for its species.
*Trees that will not be considered - The County may consider any tree ineligible for designation for the following reasons: it is determined hazardous, invasive (i.e. it is on the Invasive Plant Species List, with high or medium invasiveness, of the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation), is inappropriate for their planting space, has a condition rating less than 60%, or has disease or pest problems. Trees nominated for protection without the consent of the owner will not be considered.
Process
Upon receiving a nomination the urban forester shall have 30 calendar days to review the tree. If the tree meets the above Criteria and Guidelines it will then be recommended to the County Board. After the nomination has been forwarded it will be placed on the next possible County Board meeting agenda for a hearing. The full process for approval can take up to 6 months. Please refer to Arlington County Code, Chapter 67-3-1 for details:
http://environment.arlingtonva.us/trees/trees-shrubs-ordinance/
How does designation protect trees?
Tree conservation is required and tree protection must be provided if development of the site occurs. Non-compliance and violations will result in a civil penalty of up to $2,500.00. Please refer to Arlington County Code, Chapters 67-3-2 and 67-3-3 for details:
http://environment.arlingtonva.us/trees/trees-shrubs-ordinance/
1. White oak (Quercus alba) in the front yard of 4836 30th Street North. Property owners Dr. Thomas Cochran and Carol Cochran nominated their neighborhood’s signature tree for its outstanding size.
2. Baldcypress (Taxodium distichum) in front of Our Lady Queen of Peace Church at 2700 19th Street South. This baldcypress was a tree planted in honor of the late Clarence Edward Brown. Mr. Brown was one of the 16 African American Catholic founders of the parish that began this Arlington faith community with the Spiritan Fathers on Pentecost Sunday, May 20, 1945. He lived a couple of blocks from the church and was very active in the parish and in the Nauck community. More information can be found here
3. Black oak (Quercus velutina) at 116 North Garfield Street. Designated for its size.
4. Pin oak (Quercus palustris) at 725 25th Street South. Designated for its size.
5. White oak (Quercus alba) at 1021 North Daniel Street. Designated as a heritage tree.
6. American sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) at 4611 7th Street South. Designated for its size.
7. Willow oak (Quercus phellos) at 4400 20th Road North. Designated for its size.
8. Willow oak (Quercus phellos) at 2411 North Monroe Street. Designated for its size. Also on the notable tree registry.
9. Blackgum (Nyssa sylvatica) at 3225 North Albemarle Street. Designated for its size.
10. American beech (Fagus grandifolia) at 1600 North Jackson Street. Designated for its size.
11. American elm (Ulmus americana) at 905 South Randolph Street. Designated for its size and condition.
12. Willow oak (Quercus phellos) at 2411 N Monroe St. Designated for its size and condition.
13. American elm (Ulmus americana) at 5513 4th St S. Designated for its size and condition.
14. American elm (Ulmus americana) at 5524 4th st N. Designated for its size and condition.
15. Red maple (Acer rubrum) at 6110 35th St S. Designated for its size and condition.
16. Green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica) at 4837 27th St N. Designated for its outstanding size
17. Willow oak (Quercus phellos) at 2924 N Lexington St. Designated for its outstanding size
18. White ash (Fraxinus americana) at 414 N. Fillmore St. Designated for its outstanding size
19. White ash (Fraxinus americana) at 414 N. Fillmore St. Designated for its outstanding size
20. Willow oak (Quercus phellos) at 414 N Fillmore St. Designated for its outstanding size
21. Willow Oak (Quercus phellos) at N Nelson St/500 N Nelson St. Designated for its outstanding size
22. American holly (Ilex opaca) at 2260 N Upton St. Designated for its outstanding size
23. Tuliptree (Liriodendron tulipifera) at 4208 Lorcom Ln. Designated for its outstanding size
24. Post Oak (Quercus stellata) at 4712 8th Rd S. Designated for its outstanding size
1. Tuliptree (Liriodendron tulipifera) on the grounds of Fort C.F. Smith Park. Currently the largest tree measured in Arlington County, this yellow-poplar is almost 21 feet in circumference and 140 feet tall. It is likely one of few trees at historic Fort C.F. Smith Park to pre-date the Civil War.
2. Swamp chestnut oak (Quercus michauxii) in Nina Park. Swamp chestnut oaks are rare in Arlington due to habitat destruction. This specimen is the current County Champion for the species, and it grows in a small urban park area that once supported a large expanse of wooded wetlands and swamp forests.
3. Two Virginia pines (Pinus viginiana) in Lacey Woods Park. Growing within 20 feet of each other, these two pines are the largest and second largest on State record. At an estimated 85 and 100 years of age, they probably date from a time period when farms in the area were abandoned.
4. Scarlet oak (Quercus coccinea) in Chestnut Hills Park. Tied as the second largest scarlet oak in the State, this tree grows in a small neighborhood park that appears to have been part of a historic homestead.
5. Blackgum (Nyssa sylvatica) at Dittmar Rd and 38th Street North. Designated for its size.
6. White oak (Quercus alba) In front of 5618 16th Street North. The county champion white oak, and also the most interesting white oak. Growing out of what appears to be no soil, in the middle of the street, this tree has held on very well for its restrictions. Cabled and braced in early 2014 to prevent failure.
Tree Preservation Ordinance