To encourage this renewal, Arlington County Parks and Natural Resources Division is once again offering a variety of free tree whips to residents. The tree whips are approximately 3-5 feet tall and are potted in two-gallon containers. Due to limited quantities this year, residents may request only one tree per household. Please contact Arlington-Alexandria Tree Stewards Elizabeth Rives or Alison Willocks by April 28 to request your tree. Email Elizabeth or call Elizabeth or Alison at 703-486-1323. They will be happy to answer any questions you may have about tree selection and placement.

The following large shade trees are being offered. These should be planted at least 20 feet from any overhead wire or building, with consideration for other trees, underground utilities, and sidewalks.

• American sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) - This is a large and spreading shade tree with exfoliating white, cream, olive and gray bark. It can get to 80 feet high with a 60-foot spread. It is very adaptable to wet or dry soils and likes full and partial sun. Photos here.

• Swamp white oak (Quercus bicolor) - This large shade tree adapts well to dry, wet and flooded areas and it tolerates full sun to partial shade. Leaves are a dark green on top and whitish green underneath, resulting in a bicolor effect in the breeze. It matures at 60 feet tall with a 60-foot spread. It is an excellent provider of food and shelter for wildlife of all kinds. Photos here.

• River birch (Betula nigra) - This is a rapidly growing medium-sized tree with outstanding peeling, salmon-pink ornamental bark that can handle dry or wet sites and full sun to partial sun. It can be single or multiple-trunked. It grows as large as 60 feet tall and 40 feet wide at maturity. Photos here.

  A smaller tree that can be planted closer to overhead wires, but provides less cooling shade and air cleaning assistance, is also available in limited quantities.

• Sweetbay magnolia (Magnolia virginiana) - An upright small multi-trunked tree, having excellent semi-evergreen waxy foliage, with fragrant creamy late spring flowers. It can mature to 20 feet tall by 15 feet wide. It prefers partial sun in moist, rich, acidic soils for best performance, but can adapt to sunny or shady conditions in a variety of soils. Photos here.

Deadline for requests is April 28, 2010. Trees will be distributed sometime between May 1-14.

This page was revised on: March 8, 2010.