Tell the D.C. Council to Better Protect Trees

On December 7, you have the opportunity to tell the D.C. Council to better protect one of the District’s greatest natural resources – its tree canopy. 

Next Wednesday morning, Councilmember Mary M. Cheh, Chairperson of the Committee on the Environment, Public Works, and Transportation, will hold a public hearing on the Urban Forest Administration Reorganization Act of 2011 (B19-484). This legislation, introduced by Councilmember Phil Mendelson, is intended to address several shortcomings of the Urban Forest Preservation Act (UFPA) of 2002 that has resulted in the loss of thousands of trees across the District.

While we applaud Councilmember Mendelson for taking the lead on this discerning issue affecting the livability and beauty of our nation’s capital, we have proposed seven recommendations to B19-484 we believe will strengthen the proposed legislation and make the UFPA an effective tool in protecting and growing our tree canopy. 

As a friend, ally and tree lover, we hope you will stand with us on December 7 in support of our recommendations. Your support at this critical time is imperative to keep Washington D.C. the “City of Trees”. 

Take Action:

1. Learn more. Our B19-484 devoted webpage details our recommendations and features video and support documents.
    
2. Attend and testify at the public hearing. Public testimony is optional but helpful.
   
   Wednesday, December 7, 2011
   10:30 a.m.
   John A. Wilson Building
   1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Room 412
   Washington, D.C. 20004
   
   R.s.v.p. now
    
3. Send a Letter of Support to the Committee on the Environment, Public Works, and Transportation Councilmembers.
   
   Members:
   Mary M. Cheh, Chairperson
   Yvette Alexander
   Muriel Bowser
   Jim Graham
   Tommy Wells
   
   Download the Letter of Support Template.
    
4. Tell your friends, family members and peers to attend and submit letters of support.
    
5. Make a donation to support our advocacy work.

Happy Thanksgiving From Casey Trees

Why Plant Trees?

There are countless reasons why planting trees benefits D.C. - too many to list in a single post. But we think it is important that you know why we love trees and why you should too! So we have compiled a list of the top 5 reasons to plant trees.  

1. Plant some green, save some green. Shade trees save D.C. about $2.6 million in air conditioning costs every year. And individual homes that are shaded by trees can pay 10-30% less for cooling costs than houses with no trees!  
2. Provide environmental benefits. You may think this one is a given. But did you know that every year, D.C.'s trees filter 540 tons of harmful pollutants from the air? They also help clean our rivers by limiting the amount of storm water run off that pollutes D.C.'s waterways. 
3. Increase property values. Homes in urban areas across the country sell for 10-20% when the property includes trees. 
4. Reduce crime. Research shows that neighborhoods with trees have less crime than neighborhoods without trees. Trees add an aesthetic value to neighborhoods that helps draw residents outside. More eyes on the street means less crime.
5. Create habitat for wildlife. Trees provide food and shelter for birds and small animals.

Every tree makes a difference. You can help increase the benefits by adding to the District's canopy. Take advantage of our tree rebate program and plant a tree this fall! Find out more reasons to plant trees on our website.

Planning for a Sustainable D.C.

Contributing writer - Lisa Morris, Planning Associate

Mayor Gray has an ambitious goal: he wants to make our city “the greenest, healthiest, most livable city in the country.” From this intention, Sustainable DC was born. The Office of Planning launched the initiative in September with a website and series of public meetings to get people talking about what sustainability means to them and what it can mean to life in the District. Residents, businesses and organizations around the city have already contributed thousands of ideas from window farming to a canoe-share program. Here at Casey Trees, we’ve been participating in the process and sharing some ideas of our own.

It may come as no surprise that our recommendations focus on a simple concept: more trees! Trees are at the forefront of creating a green, healthy and livable city. They remove pollutants from the air, capture stormwater before it can flow into waterways, make streets more inviting for walking and biking, provide habitat for animals and can even act as a local food source. They do all of this at relatively little cost and can be integrated into the existing urban fabric without requiring major structural overhauls. In short, they’re a great bargain.

Most agree on the goal of enhancing the urban forest, but to make it happen in a dynamic urban environment with competing demands for limited space, we need a roadmap. The District has an informal goal of growing the tree canopy to 40% by 2035, and to turn this goal into action, we need laws, policies and regulations that give it teeth. One example is to update the Urban Forest Preservation Act of 2002 to ensure that it protects the large canopy trees of today and tomorrow. An Urban Forest Master Plan is another necessary tool to provide clear direction on how to reach this goal. The City’s MS-4 stormwater permit requires the adoption of such a plan; however, the City has yet to develop one. 

Changes to the built environment and development regulations can also help create a more tree-friendly city. For example, encouraging developers to bury utility wires underground makes room for expanded tree canopy, and suspended sidewalks with soil cells underneath create space for roots to stretch out so they can get all the nutrients they need to thrive. These are simple strategies to accommodate population growth and new development without sacrificing our urban forest.

Trees are a critical part of the living system that is a city. We are excited to bring this perspective to the Sustainable DC process as we build a road map to a greener, healthier and more livable District.

Roxane Sismanidis: Making a Difference through the CFC

Casey Trees CFC Donor and Citizen Forester Roxane
 with husband and fellow Citizen Forester Steve Burant

Roxane Sismanidis has been a government employee for the past 21 years. And for 21 years she’s also been a loyal annual contributor to the Combined Federal Campaign of the National Capital Area (CFCNCA), helping her favorite local nonprofits continue their great work throughout the community.

In the last few years, Roxane – who is also a Casey Trees Lead Citizen Forester – has chosen us as her charity of choice, helping bring trees to her hometown of D.C. “I know that with Casey Trees my donation will go towards making a difference in my own neighborhood and across Washington,” Roxane says, “and that I’m making a worthwhile investment that I’ll be able to enjoy – personally.”

Roxane is just one of the scores of federal employees who have chosen to donate to Casey Trees through the Combined Federal Campaign over the years, and we’d like to thank her for that. Without Roxane’s annual contribution, and the generous contributions of others like her, we simply wouldn’t be able to do the work that we do. It is exactly this support from our friends and neighbors that allows us to continue our tree planting efforts throughout the city. That’s why we need your help.

If you’re a government employee, join Roxane this year in creating a greener and more sustainable city by donating to Casey Trees today (CFC #24598). Donating is easy and can be done online or even through a monthly payroll deduction.

By making a pledge to Casey Trees you’re doing more than just helping plant trees; you’re building an important legacy in our city, one that will last for generations to come.

A Big Thanks to Our Friends at the Capitol Hill Community Foundation!

On Wednesday, November 2, Casey Trees headed to Capitol Hill Montessori School to do what we do best—provide trees to those who need them!

On this beautiful fall day, nearly 30 first- through fifth-grade students got to take a break from classes to work alongside Casey Trees staff to learn how to dig, plant, water, and care for trees (and toss a Frisbee or two around with some of our staff members!). Six trees and a few hours later, Capitol Hill Montessori School students had a brand new natural outdoor space to enjoy on their new campus.

Casey Trees staff member Sara Turner plants a tree with students.

But this planting wouldn't have been possible had it not been for the support of our friends over at the Capitol Hill Community Foundation, an organization dedicated to serving the needs of the Capitol Hill neighborhood and its residents. Their generous gift to Casey Trees enabled us to plant four native tree species in the school’s native garden area, in addition two apple trees around the campus. Contributions like these are vital to making sure that our Community Tree Planting program continues to be provided to interested neighborhoods and communities at no cost.

We at Casey Trees are honored to have received such overwhelming support from our new friends, and are equally proud and excited to be putting that money right back into the neighborhood that helped make this happen. From all of us at Casey Trees, we’d like to extend a big thanks to the Capitol Hill Community Foundation, and all those who work tirelessly to make what they do possible.

Discovering and Mapping Late Fall Tree Colors

Contributing writer - Tom Buckley, Director of Technical Services and Research

Driving out to Casey Tree Farm in Berryville, Virginia recently with Jim Woodworth and Mark Buscaino, I benefited from the their understanding of the interplay between tree species and the landscape. For a city kid, the organization of fall colors in a country landscape is novel: the white bark of sycamore trees; the creeks and waterways they hide.

In D.C., the street trees are somewhat divorced from aspects of their habitat, and the link between their species and their “landscape” is more artificial. However, the arborists at the Urban Forestry Administration in D.C. have kept meticulous records of the location of their work, allowing novices to track the colors that we notice in passing.

To better understand some of the trees I noticed around the District, I created a map from the UFA’s street tree data. In the UFA’s dataset, each individual street tree is a data point on the map and each is categorized by species. We are able to filter the results so that only certain species are displayed for a custom map view. I filtered the street tree map to display only those known to keep their leaves into the late-fall and winter.



Ginkgo trees are yellow, pin oaks red, and Chinese elms purple. Click on individual points on the map to view Street View or learn more about the species. Navigate around the map to see where these street trees are planted throughout D.C.

Friday Photo Feature: November 18, 2011

Tools ready to go before a tree planting at Capitol Quarter.
View more on Flickr or submit your own photos of trees. 

Volunteers Help Re-Tree D.C.

Planting trees all over D.C. would not be possible without the help of District residents. In just two weeks Citizen Foresters, volunteers and project organizers have helped Casey Trees host six Community Tree Planting (CTP) events in five different wards.

• Ward 4: On Nov. 4, Rock Creek Cemetery in Ward 4 got a little greener thanks 39 volunteers and six Citizen Foresters. 
• Ward 8: On Nov. 5, Oxon Run Park and Congress Park Plaza, both in Ward 8, received a total of 50 trees. 57 volunteers at Oxon Run and 30 volunteers at Congress Park Plaza helped make each CTP event possible. 
• Ward 6: On Nov. 9 25 volunteers and seven Citizen Foresters helped plant 28 trees at Fort Mcnair. We had probably the best mild weather we've had all year for this event and it was great to have the support from folks at Fort McNair as we did last November.
• Ward 2: On Nov. 12 11 trees found a home on the grounds of Rose Park. Among the volunteers was a former high school crew member from the summer of 2009! 
• Ward 3: Also on Nov. 12, McLean Gardens received 15 young trees. 31 volunteers and 13 Citizen Foresters came out to the CTP event. 

Volunteers plant trees at Oxon Run.
Check out more photos from the event! Or take a look at the whole season so far.

Thanks to everyone who has helped make this CTP season a success! All upcoming planting events are currently filled to capacity, but Casey Trees still needs your help in reforesting D.C. Consider making a donation to help offset the cost of new trees.

Join Live Green and Support Casey Trees - Tonight!

Looking for a way to get over those mid-week blues? Well for all you Live Green members out there, the answer is easy. Head to Local 16 tonight, November 16, as our partners at LiveGreen celebrate this favorite neighborhood hangout as their newest Live Green Spot.

Tonight from 6 til 8 p.m., Live Green members will receive complimentary VeeV Skinny Mojito and appetizers by Café Green. The best part? From now on, all members receive 10% off their tab at Local 16!

But remember, these discounts and many more apply to Live Green members only – so get your membership today! Simply go to to www.livegreen.net/join and type in the referral code: CaseyTreesLG. By doing so, a donation of $10 dollars will be made to Casey Trees!

Join the thousands of Washingtonians who already enjoy the discounts and deals offered daily around the city, while helping us add some trees to the District. And be sure to come out tonight to Local 16 (1602 U Street, NW) and get a taste of what a Live Green membership can do for you!

It's National Philanthropy Day! Celebrate with Casey Trees

We are happy to say that we’re only six weeks into our fall Community Tree Planting season and the efforts of our staff and volunteers are already showing. Sixteen new trees have helped make Boys Town Washington, D.C. a more welcoming destination for youth in crisis to seek help; fruit trees have made Green SEED Community Garden a model for urban agriculture; and with over 40 shade trees planted, eight local schools now have greener outdoor spaces for their students to enjoy. Overall, more than 300 trees have been planted so far this fall season!

However, at Casey Trees, our work is never really done - there are always more trees to be planted. But we need your help to keep going. Today is National Philanthropy Day, a country wide celebration highlighting the importance of the generosity of people like you who make it possible for organizations like ours to continue constantly working for a stronger community and a healthier planet for everyone. So please consider making your own philanthropic contribution in support of our work and canopy restoration efforts in recognition and tribute of all the generous people whose donations makes nonprofit work possible.
 
We have certainly accomplished a lot this year, but there is so much more to do. We could not have come as far as we have without your help, and we cannot go further without it. Please make a tax-deductible donation of any amount to Casey Trees today and join us in our work to plant trees, build communities, and restore our beautiful city’s urban canopy.

44 Trees for Schools

More than half-way through our fall Community Tree Planting season, Casey Trees is having a great time adding young trees across D.C.  The weather has been gorgeous lately, every event has been a success and we've had the opportunity to plant at eight schools across the District!

Over 150 students have helped us plant 44 trees in five wards. Here is a recap of what we've been up to:

• Oct. 19: H.D. Cooke Elementary School.  23 third-grade students got their hands dirty with Casey Trees when they helped plant six trees all around their school grounds.
• Oct. 19: Chamberlain Public Charter School. Just a couple hours later, 11 students from Chamberlain PCS helped Casey Trees put four trees in the ground. A class of Pre-K students learning about trees in their class came out to watch the event.
• Oct. 20: British School of Washington. 23 students ranging from age 6 to 16 planted six trees. We interviewed teacher and project organizer Mr. Horton as part of a feature story in our September E-Newsletter!  
• Oct. 26: Woodridge Elementary Friendship Public Charter School. 23 fourth-graders helped us plant 5 trees, including 3 redbuds. Anticipating the event, the excited students had made posters announcing the planting and put them up all over the school.

Students from the British School of Washington prep the ground for new trees. See more photos from the event!

• Oct. 26: John Burroughs Education Campus. Right after the Woodridge planting, we planted two sweetgums, two tulip poplars and one yellowwood with the help of 11 students. The John Burroughs students ranged from first to sixth grade.
• Nov. 2: Blow Pierce Junior Academy Friendship Public Charter School. Mrs. Leavengood-Boxer's fourth grade class joined Casey Trees in planting six trees. The event was especially enjoyable for Casey Trees staff member Jabbari Brew who attended Blow Pierce!

Jabbari Brew helps fourth-graders from Blow Pierce roll a tree into its hole. Check out more photos from this planting!

• Nov. 2: Capitol Hill Montessori School. The Casey Trees planting crew headed from one school planting to the next and helped plant 6 trees at Capitol Hill Montessori.
• Nov. 3: Collegiate Academy Friendship Public Charter School. 10 high school seniors helped us plant six trees. Following a pattern of reminiscence, Collegiate Academy is Jabbari Brew's high school Alma Mater.

Casey Trees school plantings are a little different from the rest of our CTP events. Schools can request fewer than ten trees - the minimum for CTP sites. Additionally, students are the only volunteers so they get to experience every step of the planting process. We go back to the school about a week after we plant to go over tree-watering methods with the students. From start to finish and as the trees grow, students learn first-hand how important trees are for our environment.

Casey Trees and Community Gardens

Amidst the hustle and bustle of D.C. lie over 40 community gardens, where District residents can plant and harvest their own produce. Community gardens provide educational and peaceful oases for residents across the city. This CTP season, Casey Trees is getting involved with their efforts.

Volunteers help plant a tree at the Washington Youth Garden on Oct. 18.
Visit our Flickr page for more photos.

Green SEED Planting
On Oct. 29, District residents braved rainy weather to help plant 13 trees at the Green SEED Community Garden. 20 volunteers and 9 Citizen Foresters joined Casey Trees in adding apple, fig and cherry trees to the garden. Established in 2010, the Green SEED Community Garden is located between 17th St, 18th St, D St and E St. Special thanks to Lead Citizen Forester Patricia Carmichael and project organizer Dan Fitzgerald for their help in making the CTP event possible.

Washington Youth Garden Planting
This CTP season has seen another community garden planting, in early October. Casey Trees, along with four Citizen Foresters and 17 volunteers, planted 16 fruit trees at the Washington Youth Garden at the National Arboretum. The trees were mostly apple and peach. Val Wheeler, Lead Citizen Forester and Kaifa Anderson-Hall, project organizer provided leadership in organizing the event.

Upcoming film: Community of Gardeners
On Saturday November 19, from 2 p.m. till 5 p.m. we will host a free screening of the documentary film, Community of Gardeners at our headquarters in Brookland. The film highlights the important role of seven different community gardens in Washington, D.C., including the Washington Youth Garden. A discussion with director and award-winning film artist Cintia Cabib will follow the screening. Guests from local community gardens will also help lead the discussion. Space is still available.

Sign up for this unique opportunity to learn more about the community gardens of D.C. You can also read about the film on the Community of Gardeners website. We hope to see you on November 19!

Tonight: Growing Fruit Trees in the DC Area
This evening we will feature a class at our headquarters on fruit trees, presented by Dr. Christopher Walsh of the University of Maryland. We will discuss the potential role of fruit trees in urban and suburban landscapes as well as practices we can incorporate to best manage the challenges they pose. This class is currently full.

Contact Shawn Walker with any questions about classes.

Give to the Max Day is Today! Join Thousands and Donate to Casey Trees Today

The day is here!

Today, as the clock struck midnight, the first annual Give to the Max Day: Greater Washington got underway. For the next 24 hours, Casey Trees is joining thousands of area nonprofits in the hopes of raising money and bringing in new donors to their causes.

By giving to Casey Trees today, your donation not only goes towards helping us plant our trees across DC, but also helps give us a shot to win our share of $125,000 in cash awards being offered to select nonprofits. Organizations like Casey Trees can win up to $25,000 for bringing in the most individual donors or the raising the most money. So today, make your donation count even more and give to your favorite tree planting nonprofit – Casey Trees.

But don’t just donate, spread the word! The individuals who bring the most donors on behalf of their cause can add an extra $10,000 to their donation. Tell your friends, family, and neighbors that today is the day to donate to Casey Trees!

To donate, simply go to the Casey Trees page on the Give to the Max web site, and choose the amount you’d like to donate. However, your donation only counts towards these incredible prizes today, November 9th.

If you’ve been thinking about donating to Casey Trees, don’t wait any longer. Give now and join thousands of donors on Give to the Max Day. Help us reach our goals so we can continue to provide trees and restore the urban canopy in your community.

Friday Photo Feature - November 4, 2011

A river birch planted at our 3015 12th Street NE tree yard.
View more on Flickr or submit your own photos of trees. 

Re-Tree DC With the CFC

Are you a federal employee? Do you love the work we do at Casey Trees? Well if so, take this opportunity to join your friends and coworkers and help bring trees to your community through the annual Combined Federal Campaign (CFC). This year marks the 50th anniversary of the CFC - the only authorized workplace charitable giving drive for Federal employees. And while the campaign officially began on September 1st, you have until December 15th to support one of more than 4,000 approved local, national, and international charities.

For the fourth year in a row, Casey Trees is a participating member in the Combined Federal Campaign of the National Capital Area (CFCNCA) - the local CFC campaign for Federal employees in the Washington Metropolitan Area and the largest workplace giving campaign in the world. And as a celebration of this 50th anniversary, the campaign leaders have set a 2011 fundraising goal of $67.2 million. We’re calling on all our friends in the federal government to help reach that goal by donating to Casey Trees through the CFC today!

If you are a federal employee and want to give through the CFC, all you have to do is fill out a donation pledge form designating a chosen organization and the desired amount you want to give. To make your donation to Casey Trees and help bring trees to your neighborhood, all you have to do is choose CFC #24598, and select your amount – any donation makes a huge difference.

Every gift we receive through CFC will go towards our tree planting, education, and design initiatives that help the environment and restore DC’s urban canopy. Casey Trees has already planted over 1,500 trees this year alone. This number is impressive, but with your support alongside your family, friends, colleagues, and coworkers, Casey Trees can continue to grow and plant trees in greater numbers in more schools, street corners, parks and other locations around the city.

By pledging support, you are making the first step towards establishing a green legacy in our Nation’s Capital to be enjoyed for generations to come. Choose CFC #24598 today for a healthier and more beautiful District of Columbia.

Nov. 30 is the Spring CTP Application Deadline

Volunteers plant trees at Capitol Quarter.

Apply for a Community Tree Planting event and join the hundreds of D.C. residents who have helped re-forest the city! Casey Trees is currently accepting applications for our spring CTP season. If your application is accepted, Casey Trees will provide and plant trees at your specified location for free. But hurry - the deadline for all applications is Nov. 30. 

Apply today if you:

• Want to plant 10 or more trees at a location in D.C. (school sites can request fewer).
• Can obtain permission from all property owners to plant at the site.
• Are willing to attend an orientation meeting and agree to care for the trees for two years after the planting.
• Love trees!

Since its inception in 2005, the CTP program has helped put thousands of young trees in the ground. Casey Trees provides all the trees, tools and volunteers to make each CTP event a success. Remember, even if you can't apply for a CTP event, we still need your help! Consider making a donation or sponsoring a CTP event to help offset tree costs.

Casey Trees, Area Non-Profits Join Forces to Raise Big Bucks on Nov. 9th

Calling all Casey Trees fans: we need your support! 

On Wednesday, November 9th Casey Trees will be participating in the first annual Give to the Max Day: Greater Washington, a massive one-day regional online fundraiser that will unite local Maryland, Virginia and Washington, DC communities to support nonprofits serving the area. Starting at midnight, Casey Trees will join hundreds of other local organizations in hopes of attracting 10,000 new donors and raise at least $3 million. But with your help on November 9th, a simple donation could mean an even bigger reward for Casey Trees.

As part of Give to the Max Day: Greater Washington, nonprofits large and small can earn their share of $125,000 in cash awards, including up to $25,000 for nonprofits with the most individual donors and the most money donated.  The individuals who bring the most donors on behalf of their cause can add an extra $10,000 to their donation. A prize like this would make all the difference in achieving our tree planting goals for next year – so please consider donating to Casey Trees on November 9th.

Donating is easy.  Simply go to the Casey Trees page on the Give to the Max web site, and choose the amount you’d like to donate. Remember – your donation only counts on November 9th so be sure to wait until then to give!

Join your family, friends, and neighbors in raising money for the organizations that do work in your area. Together we can reach this goal and help our community – and Casey Trees – make a difference.

Tree of the Month - Scarlet Oak

The chill of last weekend may have stripped some trees of their foliage, but many will retain their leaves late into the season, including our November Tree of the Month, the scarlet oak (Quercus coccinea). It is the official tree of the District of Columbia and has some of the most brilliant colors you will see this season. Its deep red autumn colors appear late in the fall season and give the tree its common name. The scarlet oak is native to the Eastern United States. Its habitat stretches along most of the Appalachian Mountains, but can also be found in Southern Indiana, Southeastern Missouri and Mississippi.

Scarlet oak leaves.
Photo credit: Jason Hollinger

The scarlet oak shares many similarities to its close cousin, the pin oak, but several key features make it easily identifiable. The scarlet oak's acorn is larger at one half to one inch long and features a deep cup that covers almost half of the nut. The scarlet oak also features ascending branches that can form an open, rounded or irregular crown that looks markedly different from the horizontal and drooping branches of the pin oak.

The scarlet oak's leaves are simple and oval shaped with deep C-shaped cuts that create up to nine bristly lobes. The leaves are a bright and shiny green on top with a paler shaded underside and are usually three to seven inches long. The leaves autumn colors range from a subtle russet to the deep scarlet coloration the tree is famous for.

Facts about the scarlet oak

• The scarlet oak prefers dry and sandy soils especially along ridges and slopes
• The tree's canopy can spread up to 50 feet in diameter
• The scarlet oak's acorns are a food source for gray squirrels, mice, deer, wild turkey and other birds
• Their taproot system can make the scarlet oak difficult to transplant
• These trees can fare droughts much better than other trees

A scarlet oak on Hobart Street in Mount Pleasant.

The scarlet oak can be found in a variety of locations throughout the District, but some of the more famous locations include the grounds of the White House, Supreme Court, and the Capitol. They can also be found along New Hampshire Avenue NW, the Mount Pleasant neighborhood, Tudor Place in Georgetown, and Rock Creek Park. One notable example is the 2006 Champion Scarlet Oak at 3374 Minnesota Avenue SE. Be sure to search for scarlet oaks that we have planted on our interactive Casey Trees Map. Just select "Casey Trees' Plantings" and type "scarlet."

DPW Leaf Collection

Time to get raking, everyone! D.C.'s Department of Public Works will begin collecting fall leaves on November 7. The DPW will vacuum and compost your leaves on a designated date, depending on your Ward and neighborhood. It's easy for you and beneficial to the environment!

Just remember to:

• Rake the leaves into a pile within a tree-box space. 
• Remove any tree limbs or rocks from the pile.
• Check for trash. Making sure your pile is free of litter can help prevent water pollution. 

See the ward-by-ward schedule or visit the DPW website to plan the best time to rake leaves from your yard. You can also check your address on the DPW map to see the planned leaf pickup times through December.