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Home > Neighborhood Tree Program |
Neighborhood Tree Program
 
Dear Falls Church Tree Planters:
The Neighborhood Tree Program is taking action to cool our streets, reduce storm water run-off and soak up green house gases during two street tree planting events this Spring.
NEXT EVENT IS OCTOBER 23, 2010. CHECK LATTER FOR DETAILS.
Please let me know if you plan to join us (I don't need a bomb proof commitment but the City Arborist and I need to know how many trees we can plant).
Thanks for your help.
Seth Heminway, Volunteer Chair, Neighborhood Tree Program at: heminway.seth@gmail.com
Request a Street Tree
 
In the City right-of-way or on private property but within 15 ft of the curb.
Contact City Arborist Jeremy Edwards at: jedwards@fallschurchva.gov
The Neighborhood Tree Program (NTP) Brings Cool Shade To Your Neighborhood
NEXT TREE PLANTING PARTY IS SATURDAY NOVEMBER 14, meet at 215 S. Lee Street at 9am.
About the Neighborhood Tree Program
VPIS supports the Neighborhood Tree Program in order to consistently focus on the replanting of street trees in the City of Falls Church in partnership with the City's Recreation and Parks Landscaping Department and the City Arborist. Our focus is two fold. First we strive to educate people about the benefits of trees and to encourage them to take an active role in caring for trees. Our second emphasis is on planting native shade trees near streets and sidewalks to cool our community and make it a more inviting place to walk, bike and interact with our neighbors. Through the Program, citizen volunteers and City Landscape Division crews plant trees all over the City of Falls Church at no cost to the landowner.
The funding for trees comes from direct contributions from donors, the VPIS tree fund, and occasional grants and other funding from the City. Donations may be received at the City of Falls Church Farmers Market at the VPIS booth, or by contacting the City Arborist at 703.248.5183, City Hall 300 Park Ave Falls Church, VA 22046. Checks should be made out to VPIS and marked for "The NTP program".
All trees are planted adjacent to streets, sidewalks and parking lots either:
1. City trees on public land or right- of- ways adjacent to residences. Contact City Arborist Jill Spence to request a City Tree(s);
2. As a gift tree from VPIS on private property, where they must be planted within 15 feet of the curb, or on private property. Use the Attached Application to request a tree(s).
How can you help?
Contact Seth Heminway (heminway.seth@gmail.com) to:
- Help plant and maintain trees and get on the list to receive e-mail notices for planting events;
- Help with outreach and recruitment for the program;
- Donate funds to purchase trees.
Contact City Arborist Jeremy Edwards (jedwards@fallschurchva.gov) to:
- Nominate your neighborhood for a focused tree planting event or recommend an individual planting location;
- Request a City tree.
Also see the Neighborhood Tree Program Introduction (pdf). This document includes a form which you can print and fill out if you are interested in joining the Neighborhood Tree Program.
More NTP Brochures and Information:
- The City of Falls Church's NTP Webpage
- Selecting a Tree Care Provider (pdf)
- Choosing the Right Tree (pdf)
- How to Mulch a Tree (pdf)
- VPIS Tree List (pdf)
- NTP Phase II Application (pdf)
Many thanks to all of you helping during our planting events.
Seth Heminway, Volunteer Chair Neighborhood Tree Program
W(202) 564-7017 H(703) 536-3049, heminway.seth@gmail.com
Tree planting parties are held during the Spring and Fall. 
The NTP program was featured in the film Falls Church - Laying Down Roots made in March 2004. The 30 minute long film about the City of Falls Church - and the Neighborhood Tree Program - is available for check-out from the Mary Riley Styles Library.
Frequently Asked Questions about the NTP
Is NTP a VPIS organization or a City program?
NTP is a citizen volunteer and City staff partnership under the auspices of the City Manager. City staff from the Division of Urban Forestry provide critical expertise and logistical support while VPIS volunteers raise funds to purchase trees (along with City funds), provide tree planting and maintenance labor, and conduct educational outreach about the benefits, selection and care and of trees.
How can I help?
Talk to your neighbors about having a tree planting party in your neighborhood. Offer your labor several times a year as a planter on the Tree Squad or help with lots of other critical roles like communication, outreach and fund-raising. Your financial help is most welcome.
Why was the Neighborhood Tree Program created?
NTP was created in 2000 by concerned citizens because the City was losing mature street trees due to old age, disease and development faster than they were being replaced. NTP's volunteer labor coupled with the City's logistical support multiplies the City's ability to plant and maintain trees.
How much mulch do trees need?
To maximize the chance for survival trees should have a 2 inch thick layer or mulch out to the drip line. The flare at the base of the trunk should be visible. Too often mulch is heaped against the tree, which can trap moisture and cause disease leading to the eventual death of the tree.
What kinds of trees are available? Which should I choose?
Attached is a list of tree choices that the NTP routinely plants and are readily available. Our first priority is to plant shade trees when the location allows it in order to have the biggest benefit. The smaller understory trees are available all year round for planting in locations that are encumbered by overhead utilities. Among the large trees, oaks and tupelos are more likely to survive when transplanted in the spring so we tend to plant these species of trees during spring events. The trees on the fall list are available all year round. More information about choosing trees is online at the Virginia Urban Street Tree Selector website (Virginia Tech).
NTP Steering Committee Members:
- Seth Heminway, Chair
- Jeremy Edwards, City Arborist
- Barry Buschow
- Jeff Peterson
- Anne Camper
- Tom Clinton
- Karl Ensign
- Tom Kaye
- Keith Thurston
Thanks for your support!
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