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TextNominate a "Celebrated Tree"
April 23, 2010
OPA 087/10
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More Information
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The Fairfax County Tree Commission is asking
residents to nominate county trees to be honored as “Celebrated Trees.”
Launched in conjunction with the county’s celebration of Earth Day, the
ongoing project recognizes big, historic, commemorative and
favorite trees in Fairfax County. Further information and nomination
forms can be found online.
Commissioners will kick off “Celebrated Trees of Fairfax County” at Fairfax County’s Earth Day/Arbor Day Celebration on Saturday, April 24, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Northern Virginia Community College, 8333 Little River Turnpike, Annandale. Visit the commission’s booth for more information. Jeff Kirwan, co-author of “Remarkable Trees of Virginia” is scheduled to speak at 2 p.m.
According to the Tree Commission: “You’ve climbed them, relaxed in their shade, plucked their fruit and planted them in honor of loved ones. Join us to celebrate them.”
Eligible historic, commemorative and favorite trees will receive an honorary designation as a Celebrated Tree of Fairfax County and be included in a database on the county’s website. Big trees will go into the county’s Big Tree Database, as well as be submitted for consideration in the Virginia Big Tree Program.
Every tree should be celebrated because they make a significant impact on the environment. Trees remove carbon dioxide from the air, which is the primary greenhouse gas, and they absorb ozone and other pollutants. One mature tree with a 26-foot canopy can absorb the emissions of a vehicle driven 11,500 miles every year.Shade from trees can reduce a home or building’s cooling costs by 10-50 percent in the summer. Every 1 percent increase in tree canopy also reduces mid-day air temperatures by up to 2.88 degrees.
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Contact: Merni Fitzgerald, Director, Office of Public Affairs
703-324-3189, TTY 711, Media Pager: 703-324-NEWS (6397)
publicaffairs@fairfaxcounty.gov
To request this information in an alternate format, call 703-324-3187, TTY 711
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