Venezuela Plants 18 “Replacement Trees”

1 MAY 2011

IN MAY THE Embassy of Venezuela planted 18 new trees as replacements for a very large old tree it sought to cut down, to comply with the DC tree law.

This planting will extend the tree canopy over bare parts of the Ambassador’s residence at 2443 Mass Ave on the corner of Mass Ave and California Street. Fifteen trees were added to this campus, notably four new ‘Valley Forge’ elms that re-build the ‘second row’ by the Mass Ave sidewalk, and a tulip poplar at the corner. Behind the military office at 2437 California Street, three cherry trees were planted.

Below: The Embassy’s Clara Rodriquez and a new Chinese Lacebark elm (Ulmus parvifolia ) and Hackberry (Celtis accidentalist). (All photos: RMA)

Under the tree law, 18 new trees were required for the city to allow the Embassy to cut down an ash tree behind the military office that was 115 inches in diameter. The city asked Restore Mass Ave to advise on the new planting.

Under the tree law, to cut down a healthy “special tree” of 55 inches or greater, an entity – even a foreign mission – must agree to plant “replacement trees” whose “circumference inches” (CI) equal that of the tree to come down. Or they must pay into the Tree Fund.* How big is a 55” CI tree? Below a Restore Mass Ave Treekeeper shows you. 

Below:  RMA Treekeeper hugs a 55” circumference “special tree.” (Photo: Restore Mass Ave)

The Venezuela Ambassador’s residence is one of the loveliest campuses on Embassy Row. When it was built in the 1930s, the old-growth forest of Kalorama was left standing; so were the “second row” trees lining the sidewalk. As these older trees die, the bare land needs new groves.

Below: Two new ‘Valley Forge’ elms in a line parallel to the public sidewalk. (Photo: Restore Mass Ave)

Next door, with our partner Casey Trees, Restore Mass Ave has arranged more than 20 large-type trees at the

Overall, city land needs 2,000 more acres of mature tree canopy. On Embassy Row, everyone in the community is trying to help!

--

Credits

Trees were provided by Landscape Development Co., Woodbine, Md. 

* DC Urban Forest Preservation Act of 2002 can be downloaded through this page

** Useful aspects of the Tree law on RMA's website

*** Map where RMA has added trees

Below:  RMA Treekeeper hugs a 55” circumference “special tree.” (Photo: Restore Mass Ave)

Below: The Embassy’s Clara Rodriquez and a new Chinese Lacebark elm (Ulmus parvifolia ) and Hackberry (Celtis accidentalist). (Photo: Restore Mass Ave)