Trees

Canopy Growth: Our Work Pays Off!

Our mission. Restore Mass Ave started in 2006 to address the problem of dying trees and neglected yards along Embassy Row.

How are we doing? Our volunteer Holli Howard analyzed tree canopy imagery from 2006, 2011, and 2015. Tree canopy is the area formed by the leafy crowns of trees, as seen by a bird above. Data gathered by satellite every five years gives detailed info about land vegetation in the US, including trees in cities.

Big news! Tree canopy increased by a net of 13.2% in RMA’s area in the years when District tree canopy grew 2.5%. (Of course this is harder in a 63 sq. mi. city whose population in this period grew by 100,000 or 18%.) RMA’s results may make our program a model.

See how to read our map below. Then scroll down for stories our map revealed.

Canopy Change along 2100 – 2300 Mass Ave

Stories of Canopy Gain + and Loss –

• Canopy grew by 73%
  on 20th St, Mass Ave to Que St
• Double row now shades two bus stops
  on Mass Ave, 20th St to hotel
• Canopy grew by 321%
  on R St by Sheridan Circle

• Three huge lindens on city land
  near South Africa Embassy construction
• Huge second row linden. We replant. (VIDEO)
  Lawns in front of 2320, 2324 and 2328 Mass Ave

Gain: Canopy Grew by 73%
On 20th St from Mass Ave to Que St

In 2006, both sides of 20th St were bare except for a few street trees (shown dark green on map below). We planted 12 red oaks as second row trees in 2008. We requested that city foresters plant new street trees in bigger boxes.

Planting partners: Casey Trees and DC Urban Forestry Division

Loss (red) due to crowds by Metro and Georgetown University bus stop.

Gain (bright green) due to care of double tree rows on east side by PNC Bank and on west side by Hungarian Federation and Restore Mass Ave.

Gain: Double Row Now Shades Two Bus Stops
On Mass Ave from 20th St to hotel

Thousands of people pass Mass Ave & 20th St daily, including those who use the Georgetown U shuttle (every 15 min) and Metrobus  (N2,N4, N6, HX, L2, 37 lines).

In 2008 the corner lawn was bare; soon after, two sidewalk trees died (red). Our 2008 planting added second row red oaks in the lawn; City Urban Forestry planted two elms in sidewalk adding to twin lindens by Metrobus.

Canopy has gained (bright green) thanks to care by Hungarian Federation, Konrad Adenaeur Stiftung, Embassy Row Hotel and RMA Treekeepers.

Gain: Canopy Grew by 321%
On R St by Sheridan Circle

There were basically no trees in 2006 anywhere near three of the city’s most famous mansions at 2249, 2251 R and 2301 Mass, which overlook Sheridan Circle. The one tree on the sidewalk then died (red on map below).

Planting: City Urban Forestry planted three zelkovas in median strip, and zelkova, linden and plane in R St sidewalks.

Canopy Gain inside the orange frame (map below) was 321% thanks to tree care and protection by: RMA, Vietnam Residence (2249 R), Philippines Residence (2251 R), and American Society of International Law (2221 Mass).

Loss: Three Huge Lindens on City Land
Near South Africa Embassy construction

Big red areas on map below show canopy lost during a large renovation at 3051 Mass Ave, the Embassy of South Africa, in 2014. The main big tree shown in the in 2014 photo was cut down. Two others were badly damaged. These had been noble lindens, three of the 500 planted in 1904 in double rows from 22 St to Wisconsin Ave.

The 2006 photo shows how open lawn and little paving helped this tree’s roots to thrive for more than a century. The 2014 photo shows construction activity that destroyed this tree’s critical, ancient roots. Most of the work was allowed by permits DC issued.

Eight Protections for Trees during Construction (pdf)
City regs aren’t enough say RMA and 3 ANCs. Download here »

Loss: Huge Second Row Linden – We Replant (VIDEO)
Lawns in front of 2320, 2324 and 2328 Mass Ave

The magnificent 2nd row linden, planted in 1904, is shown in 2008 in the lower left photo. On map, red area shows canopy lost when this venerable tree had to be cut in 2013. We planted another linden in the row next door in 2007, and one next to it in 2015. Photo lower right shows the young second row trees growing in 2017.

Looking Ahead

Restore Mass Avenue has many initiatives to further protect and expand the tree canopy in our work area. You can be a part of this important effort by volunteering to be a treekeeper or by making a donation.

We have learned a great deal in the last ten years and are eager to share our accomplishments. Contact us for info how to shade your street or neighborhood.