Huge trees could be lost at Sursum Corda site

    RMA nurtures the great, huge trees along Embassy Row. Our Grand Avenue was spared the developer's wrecking ball in the 1970s when federal historic status was granted. But RMA cares about big trees all over DC - especially Heritage Trees of 100" circumference or larger, that get extra protection under the 2016 tree law.
       Today RMA warned that developers will axe many Heritage Trees at the Sursum Corda apartment site if a bill before City Council is passed. The bill could come up tomorrow.
       We joined Casey Trees in objecting to the brief bill introduced by Charles Allen, Council Member for Ward 6, where the redevelopment is taking place. Sursum Corda  was a group of low-income homes and apartments for years. The area had many problems, so redevelopment was planned and partly carried out.
      For this phase, hundreds of new apartments would be built on the part of the land where large trees - now called Heritage Trees - have thrived for much of the 20th and all of the 21st century.
      Allen's bill would let the developer pay a lower rate for removing these trees than the 2016 law requires. And by exempting trees on this big, conspicuous project - the bill if passed will invite others to come to the Council with "emergency" exemptions for Heritage-size and other large trees.
      RMA President Deborah Shapley urged Council Member Jack Evans to vote against this bill in  our September 16 letter.
    The 2016 Tree Law is one of the most advanced in the US. It fulfills the visible, shady legacy of our City of Trees which thousands enjoy along Embassy Row and elsewhere in the city.
      We say: Don't gut this law through this back door!


    

RMA aids street trees VIDEO

See images of how RMA helps young trees grow, even those next to the busy avenue. RMA works with the Urban Forestry Division of DDOT on what species along curbs will provide the most shade and revive the historic look  - if  they are cared for. We're trying!
Along here, the historic Grand Avenue streetscape had full double rows of shade trees; the District needs these mature tree rows today to reach its tree canopy goals. 

• Thank you Urban Forestry Division for this lovely little elm which could grow into a mighty shade tree, cooling and beautifying the sidewalk and driveways. It's in front of the vacant Pakistan building at 2315 Mass. The lovely entrance of 2346 Mass is across the street.
• Thank you Embassy of Haiti (next door at 2211 Mass) for watering this new tree. And for caring for its own sidewalk tree - the 911 Memorial survivor tree (see Our Green Community).
• Thank you RMA Treekeeper John Umberger for clipping the grass  around this tree and the  Haiti memorial tree next door. The hat is John's after-work attire. There were no bumblebees except in the music.

Your support enables us to help young and at risk street trees. Below are street trees - planted by UFD, for which we arrange care.  Ricky Fuentes of R & J Landscaping loosened and enriched soil around 11 city trees on 20th Street and Mass; two are shown below plus the little elm after John's weedwhack.

Why should neighbors care for street trees? Keeping the tree box clear of grass and crabgrass, loosening soil and light mulch  - improve soil-nutrient exchange. When young trees in hostile environments are cared for  - they grow stronger roots and get bigger.
Note that street trees should be watered regularly through the fall.

          - Deborah Shapley, RMA President, September 2019