To the editor: Our area is suffering from drought and extreme heat, which means trees are struggling. And the Arlington County government’s policy of not watering its trees beyond a very young age is resulting in the death of trees.
In one brief outing I saw four dead county trees on a small stretch of Columbia Pike, plus a nearby dying tree with the county’s Orwellian sign that says, “Tree Preservation Area.” No one is fooled by this insulting sign, which I have also seen posted on private lots after they have been totally clear-cut of enormous, healthy trees to make way for a “McMansion.”
Given that Arlington County allows – and even encourages – developers to kill all towering shade trees on all private lots, it seems important that the few trees that are not subject to clear-cutting be cared for. The county’s current, neglectful tree-watering policy is a type of climate denial; we residents deserve better than the urban heat desert that will result from these policies.
I urge County Board members to immediately change their policy of tree neglect and deeply water the county trees that have not already died.
Elaine Simmons, Arlington
