Greening Our Global Neighborhood

In the early 20th century the two miles of Massachusetts Avenue west from Dupont Circle was a Grand Avenue of park-like views and sidewalk allées of shade trees.

But by the late 20th century the street was badly shorn of trees. In the years when more vehicles and pedestrians came to use the avenue every day, it became hotter. Trees were lost to Dutch elm disease and neglect; fortunately zoning preserved its stately mansions. Foreign governments had bought many from their original owners, making the residential Grand Avenue an Embassy Row.

To stop the loss of trees and greenspace, in 2006 a few neighbors and embassy workers started the nonprofit Restore Mass Ave. Our mission was to “engage residents, embassies, the city and private partners to plant and sustain a full canopy of major trees on Embassy Row.” We’ve had success, but this remains our urgent mission today.

The Grand Avenue in 1913

Below is the sidewalk of Mass Ave in 1913 in the 2000 block where the hotel is now. Double rows of these American lindens (T. americana) were planted from 1880-1900 along Massachusetts Avenue, the five-mile cross-town thoroughfare originally designed by Pierre L’Enfant.

Our little group was inspired by the remaining old trees planted in 1904 along the two additional miles of Mass Ave that later became Embassy Row. But the rest of the landscape was a rag-tag. Could we ever get it back?

Looking Ahead

Soon our goal got more urgent. We no longer aimed to recreate past beauty. By rebuilding this landscape fully we could prepare this busy route for the impacts of climate change.

Why this landscape matters:

Double rows of mature trees give more than twice the ecosystem benefits,
To grow and sustain mature trees is essential,
Local care of trees and cooperation among neighbors is needed.

What about beauty? Today “livability” is a main goal of Washington leaders. The leaders who designed and planted the capital’s main streets a century ago said it this way: “The Grand Avenue streetscape delights the public realm.”

New Friends at Fall Fun Day

Fall Fun Day at Mitchell Park was hugely popular! At Restore Mass Ave’s info table, we made new friends. See Events.

Our Program

1. Planting the right tree in the right place, with best-practices. The city provides “street trees” along the curbs; these form the “first row.” We arrange for private owners and others to plant the “second row.” Thus we fill in double rows for future shady canopy. We conserve forest.

2. Local, long-term care to realize our Vision of “a full canopy of major trees.” We urge and teach private owners to sustain the trees. We use professional services; our Treekeepers give “hands-in-the dirt” help to some trees.

3. “Greening” DC infrastructure. For two years the Department of Transportation removed and replaced infrastructure on Embassy Row’s most historic mile. This MARP project brought modern soils and more pervious surface but trees were damaged. What are the lessons?

Our Green Community

Here we highlight a few of our foreign and US friends who are "re-greening Embassy Row" through our program.

Historic Landscape

Go here for photos and our award-winning guide (readable onscreen) to the original streetscape and why we need it now.

Trees

Go here for tree species on our Grand Avenue, our 13% canopy growth and the cool sidewalks project with American U.

Events

See photos of World Forum on Urban Forests (WFUF) Celebration and RMA Awards to partners along Mass Ave.