Happy Fall! Leaves are changing colors all around us.
Trees are an important part of our community that provide a lot of benefits to us beyond shade on a hot summer day. Did you know there are approximately 40+ million trees in Fairfax County? There’s a lot you should know about trees (and why more native trees are needed).
Fall Foliage
Our estimated 40+ million trees will be putting on a spectacular show of colors (though this year's drought conditions may impact some colors). Headliners include the county’s most common species: red maple, American beech and the tulip tree.
Check out Visit Fairfax’s best locations for leaf peeping, including:
- GW Parkway
- Burke Lake
- Huntley Meadows
- Meadowlark Botanical Gardens
Fall colors are popular everywhere, so check out the Virginia Fall Foliage Report to track where colors are changing across the commonwealth.
Protecting Trees
We each have a role in protecting trees – residents, government, business and the whole community. We want to preserve and expand our tree canopy. Here are a few ways you can help:
- Take care of the trees in your yard, including the correct use of mulch (no mulch mountains!).
- Remove invasive plants, such as vines, that could harm the health of trees.
- Volunteer as a neighborhood tree rescuer.
- Have questions about trees? We have an urban forester available at 703-324-1770 (TTY 711), Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Planting Trees
Fall is the perfect time to plant trees. We encourage you to increase the county’s tree cover and consider planting trees (or adding more trees) to your property.
You should also know that due to changing climate conditions, the recommended dates to plant trees have moved for the first time in three decades. It's now Oct. 1 through all of winter.
Native trees are the most beneficial for a few reasons:
- They are adapted to our local climate.
- They provide habitat and nesting sites.
- They soak up storm runoff and clean our water.
Plant NOVA Trees is a regionwide effort by over 100 local organizations and thousands of individuals to promote native trees and shrubs in Northern Virginia. There are many ways to participate. The simplest is to identify every appropriate site and plant young trees or shrubs there now, preferably canopy trees if there is room. They may not look like much the first couple years, but soon they will grow and provide shade and cooling for humans as well as shelter and food for our birds and butterflies.
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