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Public Works and Environmental Services

Fairfax County, Virginia

CONTACT INFORMATION: Our administrative offices are open 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Mon - Fri

703-324-1770
TTY 711

treemail@fairfaxcounty.gov

12055 Government Center Parkway
Suite 518, Fairfax, Va 22035

Brian Keightley,
Division Director, Urban Forest Management

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Urban Forest Management in Fairfax County

Fairfax County strives to enhance the quality of life in our community by ensuring the vitality of the urban forest and preserving the natural environment. Compatibility between the developed and natural communities is promoted through science, education, shared knowledge and strong partnerships. The Urban Forest Management Division (UFMD) is the primary county agency responsible for ensuring that development plans comply with the Tree Conservation Ordinance and monitoring pests that threaten the health of the forest in Fairfax County.

Citizen Requests

Urban Forest Management is a resource for the public who may have questions about the County's urban forest, whether they need tree care advice or have management concerns about trees on public or private property. Citizens commonly contact UFMD to assess the risk of trees that threaten the public at large or ask questions about impacts to trees resulting from construction activities. 

Plan Review

The Forest Conservation Branch of UFMD strives to maximize the opportunities for tree preservation on development plans and ensures that new tree plantings satisfy the balance of required tree canopy on development sites. Forest Conservation staff strive to maximize conservation of our urban forest and the benefits it provides to residents of the County from the earliest stages of a project through project completion. The services provided by Forest Conservation are an integral part of the land development process and include review of re-zoning plans, infill lot grading plans, site plans, and conducting site meetings and inspections. Urban Foresters utilize the latest science and engage with the development community to find innovative solutions to the growing challenges facing our changing urban forest.

Tree near building site

Forest Pest Management

The Forest Pest Management Branch monitors and manages invasive forest pests that pose a threat to the County’s urban forest, such as spongy moth*, fall cankerworm, and emerald ash borer. When potentially unsustainable levels of a closely monitored forest pest are detected, pest suppression programs are implemented when appropriate. They also provide support for the wide range of UFMD projects and partnerships, notably outreach and education.

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Public Outreach Activities

Urban Forest Management plays an important role in promoting the benefits of conservation and enhancement of our urban forest by building strong partnerships with the public, industry professionals, other county agencies, and non-profit organizations. Among the many outreach activities conducted by Urban Forest Management to foster awareness of trees and their contribution to the community and the environment are school programs, tree planting projects, and presenting to homeowner and civic associations.

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Policy and Ordinances

The policies and ordinances that regulate proper protection of our urban forest resources must be reviewed and updated periodically to optimize tree conservation and reflect current best management practices for trees and forests. The Tree Action Plan recommends making updates to urban forestry policies as one of the 5 framework goals for maintaining our urban forest. Some of the work Urban Forest Management has done to support this goal is reflected in the updates to the Fairfax County Public Facilities Manual, Zoning Ordinance, Comprehensive Plan, the Supervisor's Economic Success Plan and Environmental Vision, other county public health, livability and sustainability initiatives and programs.

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Tree planting

Tree Commission

Urban Foresters offer technical and administrative support to the Tree Commission's goals of providing urban forestry advice to the Board and contributing to the improvement of urban forestry specifications and guidelines. The Tree Commission and Urban Forest Management collaborate on initiatives such as the Tree Conservation Awards, Friends of Trees Awards, and updates to the Tree Action Plan.

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Urban Forest Monitoring and Evaluation

Effective management of urban forest resources requires County-wide monitoring to assess the changes to the tree canopy. Urban Forest Management uses GIS imagery of tree canopy and forest inventory data to understand how development and other factors may be impacting tree canopy and forest ecosystem services. The data from these studies can be used to establish canopy goals and targeted plantings and conservation efforts to maximize limited resources. These studies also quantify the environmental benefits that trees provide which helps strengthen the County's commitment to practicing good environmental stewardship.

How have tree canopy and impervious surfaces changed from 2011 to 2015?

Canopy change by watershed
Tree canopy percent change by watershed
Tree canopy percent change by supervisory district
Tree canopy percent change by supervisory district

View More in the Tree Canopy Report

For more information about who to call about potentially hazardous trees, forest insects and diseases, and general tree questions, contact UFMD at 703-324-1770, TTY 711 or by email.

*A new common name for Lymantria dispar, spongy moth, replaced the prior name of this insect, gypsy moth, in 2022. This change was necessary because the word ‘gypsy’ is an ethnic slur.

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