FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va – If you’re looking to beautify your yard with more trees, you may find just what you need at an upcoming seedling giveaway. The Fairfax County Tree Commission is conducting the event this spring.
Join your neighbors Saturday, April 18, at the opening of the Burke Farmer’s Market and pick up a free tree. The bare-root seedlings are small, easy to plant and will be available while supplies last. A variety will be available: Black Gum, Red Oak, Willow Oak, Sweetbay Magnolia, Eastern Redbud.
Plant a much-needed tree to:
- Replace a tree that recently came down
- Celebrate a birth or memorialize a loss
- Save money by increasing shade and reducing cooling bills
- Create a habitat for local and migratory birds
- Protect soil from erosion and drought
- Create a privacy screen and wind buffer
- Increase the property value of your home
- Help green your corner of the planet
- And did we mention, trees are just plain pretty?
The Tree Commission will have experts on-hand to provide planting guidance and answer questions. Mark your calendars and please join us!
| Date | Saturday, April 18 |
|---|---|
| Time | 8 a.m. - Noon (or until seedings are gone)) |
| Location | Burke Farmer's Market (at the Burke VRE/Amtrak Station) 5671 Roberts Parkway, Burke, VA 22015 |
Visit the Tree Commission.
Fairfax County Tree Commission Spring 2026 Tree Giveaway - Tree Selection Descriptions
Cercis canadensis (Eastern Redbud) is an understory tree with stunning pink spring flowers followed by heart-shaped leaves and seedpods that turn brown over the summer. Cercis canadensis provides an important food source to pollinators as a result of its early bloom and is the host plant to Henry’s elfin butterfly. Height to 30,’ Spread to 25,’ Full Sun and Partial Shade
Nyssa sylvatica (Black Gum) is a medium sized deciduous canopy tree with a straight trunk, rounded crown, and spectacular scarlet fall color. Small, greenish-white flowers appear in spring and are an excellent nectar source for bees. Flowers give way to oval, 1/2" long fruits that mature to a dark blue and are attractive to birds and wildlife. Height to 50,’ Spread to 25,’ Full Sun and Partial Shade
Quercus phellos (Willow Oak) is a medium to large, fast growing deciduous canopy tree that can grow 40 to 100 feet tall and 25 to 50 feet wide. Quercus phellos prefers moist, well-drained soil, but can tolerate clay soils and urban pollution. It supports many native insects and is a host plant for the larvae of numerous butterflies and moths. Height to 100,’ Spread to 50,’ Full Sun and Partial Shade
Quercus rubra (Red Oak) is a tall, fast growing, and resilient canopy tree, named for the brilliant red color of its leaves in fall. Its fruit is an acorn, borne in late summer or fall. Quercus rubra prefers acidic, moist soil, but is adaptable to many different conditions. It thrives in forests, where it will grow very tall, or in the open, where it will adopt a shorter, more rounded look and provide needed shade. Height 80’ Spread 60’ Zone 5 Full sun, Partial sun, Shade
Magnolia virginiana (Sweetbay Magnolia) is a semi-evergreen understory tree with fragrant white flowers in June that often bloom for much of the summer. In fall, Magnolia Virginian has showy red fruit with orange seeds. It is wet site tolerant but thrives in a wide range of conditions. Magnolia virginiana is an important food source for the Tiger Swallowtail butterfly larvae. Height 20,’ Spread 15,’ Full sun, Partial sun, Shade