Fairfax County, VA Tree Protection: Heritage & Protected Trees (2026)

The Urban Forester may, in accordance with the provisions of this Article, identify and recommend that certain trees located within the County be officially designated by ordinance as heritage, memorial, specimen, or street trees. The designation of any tree described herein, to include the area encompassing the critical root zone area, shall be subject to all preservation and conservation standards and practices enumerated by the Fairfax County Public Facilities Manual. The designation of certain trees pursuant to this Chapter shall consider the land use planned by the property owner. Prior to the hearing on the adoption of such ordinance, the property owner of such trees shall be notified by certified mail. At the public hearing, the Urban Forester shall present his recommendation to the Board of Supervisors for adoption of the tree designation ordinance.(b)The identification of trees for potential designation pursuant to this Chapter may be undertaken by a citizen, citizen's group, or organization by submitting a complete report to the Director, for evaluation by the Urban Forester, describing the tree or trees in question and their significance in needing protection or designation under this section. Any citizen, citizen's group, or organization, including the Urban Forester, that submits a report to the Director shall also submit the written consent of all owners of property on whose land trees are proposed for designation.