Frequently Asked Questions (& answers) about Street Trees

Q: What do I do if the street tree in front of my home needs some work?

A: Call the Mayor’s call center at 311, and explain the nature of the problem. Or use the website at http://www.dc.gov to make a request by clicking on Service Request Center underneath the DC Information Centers column along the right hand side of the screen. An inspector will be sent to check your request, and a note will be left in your door notifying you that an inspection has taken place, and what service(s) will be provided if required.

Q: What is the best thing to do to help a newly planted tree survive?

A: Street trees usually take two years to get established, which means they need some care during this time period. In the absence of regular rainfall, a newly planted tree will need water about three times per week. To be most effective, apply about 15 gallons per watering with a watering can or plastic bucket in the evening. During prolonged dry periods (you’ll typically see cracks in the soil and lawns will brown out during these times), place your hose at a very low volume (a trickle) at the base of the tree and let it run until the water no longer penetrates the soil and begins to run off the top. This usually takes two to four hours. Using an Ooze tube, which has replaced the TreeGator bag as the primary method of watering, as is an effective way to ensure newly planted trees receive enough water to survive.

Just as important as watering is making sure that there is enough mulch around the base of the tree. The depth and extent of the mulch ring provided during planting is sufficient, but you can add more as it decomposes to maintain the depth at three inches. Mulch acts as a “moisture trap,” keeping the soil moist beneath it. If the mulch is removed, or as it decomposes, you’ll have to water more often because the water will evaporate more quickly.

Q: Does the Urban Forestry Administration maintain trees in alleys?

A: The District is responsible for paved surfaces of alley rights-of-way. Therefore, trees located beyond the pavement on either side of the alley are located on private property and are the responsibility of the adjacent property owners. If these private space trees interfere with the free use of the alley (vehicles cannot pass, for example), the property owner who owns the tree could receive a ticket with instructions to prune the tree back, or remove it, to eliminate this conflict.

Q: When a tree or limb falls on a roadway, house, or vehicle, how long does it take for the Urban Forestry Administration (UFA) to respond?

A: These situations are considered emergencies, and a site assessment is conducted within 4 - 24 hours. After completing the assessment, the UFA corrects the problem within a 48-hour period. During a storm event where multiple incidents such as these may occur, UFA prioritizes by first clearing all major roadways, followed by minor roadways, alleys, and pedestrian walkways. UFA inspects any street trees that may have fallen on homes or vehicles and clears them within 48 hours.

Q: Should I fertilize a newly-planted street tree?

A: Do not fertilize newly-planted trees. When a new tree is planted, the soil is replaced in the tree space with a new soil mix that has a slow-release fertilizer which lasts for three years. Your new tree has plenty of nutrients to get it through the establishment period and beyond. If you want to help, the best thing to do is water the tree regularly.

Q: Why do I need a permit to plant a tree in the tree box in front of my home if it benefits the District?

A: Tree planting does benefit the District. A permit is required because not all tree types are appropriate for street side plantings; some trees can even create dangers by blocking road signs, stop lights, and sidewalks. When your permit request is reviewed, an inspector will check the site with pedestrian and vehicular safety concerns in mind.

Q: What is meant by a “street tree maintenance cycle”?

A: One of the goals the Urban Forestry Administration is to maintain the District’s street trees on a five- to seven-year cycle. This means that UFA inspects every street tree at least once every five to seven years and updates records of these trees at the time of inspection. Based upon these inspections, the UFA conducts work such as pruning, removal, and/or replacement if necessary.

Q: What determines if an individual tree or an entire block will be trimmed?

A: When the UFA receives a call to trim a single tree, the UFA inspects that tree and all other trees on the block. If the inspector finds that the tree needs trimming, the UFA places it on the trim list. Similarly, if a majority of the remaining trees on the block also need trimming, UFA will trim them as well.

Q: Is it a good idea to put down plastic sheeting or “weed barrier” fabric to stop weeds growing up in a tree box?

A: Plastic sheeting actually harms the tree and is forbidden by city law. Plastic sheeting and even weed fabric, which is perforated, will stop or severely limit water from penetrating into the soil. The tiny perforations that are supposed to make most weed fabrics permeable get clogged with silt and do not let adequate amounts of moisture through. Without sufficient water, the tree will decline and eventually die. The importance of not laying weed barrier fabric or plastic cannot be overstated; street trees have enough stresses with which to cope, adding another may cause enough harm to kill them.