[Archived] Tree Maintenance Work to begin in Fort Ward Park and Museum Area week of December 26

For Immediate Release: December 15, 2015

The City of Alexandria will begin the seasonal tree maintenance in Fort Ward Park and Museum Area beginning the week of December 26, 2015 and will continue through January 2016 subject to the weather conditions. The work includes structural and deadwood pruning of fifty-two trees, removal of forty-two dead or diseased trees throughout the park and grinding of remaining tree stumps.  

City Arborist staff in the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities (RPCA) conducted an assessment of all trees in the park and museum area and identified specific trees that needed maintenance or removal. All work is consistent with the Fort Ward Park and Museum Area Management Plan approved by the City Council in January 2015. Goal 3 (Landscape Cultural Practices) of the plan is to restore and expand the existing woodlands, assess tree canopy and its health, and perform tree maintenance.

The tree maintenance work will be carried out by a City tree contractor and supervised by the City Arborist staff in RPCA.  Any ground disturbance activities will be coordinated with the City’s Office of Historic Alexandria staff.  RPCA staff will also post public notice of tree maintenance work in the park and museum area. Following the tree maintenance work, 24 new native trees will be planted in the spring of 2016. Funding for the new trees is included in the approved FY2016 Capital Improvement Program of the City.

For more information, contact John Noelle, City Arborist, at 703.746.5499 or email john.noelle@alexandriava.gov, or visit the Ad Hoc Fort Ward Park and Museum Area Management Plan Implementation project website.