Whispers from Mosby's rangers can be heard from the rustling leaves of the monarch chestnut oaks located on the 350 acre property that is the future home of the Salamander Inn & Spa. I felt a chill and awe just being near these magnificent trees, the largest of which Sheila Johnson, owner of the property, calls her "Peter Pan tree."

With a spread of 100 feet, a circumference of 187 inches (or 60" diameter), and an approximate height of 80 feet, this mighty chestnut oak may just be a state champion. With Ms. Johnson's permission, this magnificent tree will take its rightful place in Virginia's big tree registry.

It seems abundantly clear that this will delight Ms. Johnson because one of the first things she did when she learned that she had been given permission to build the Inn & Spa was ask Care of Trees to inventory the important trees on the property to ensure that any construction would be planned around them.

Chestnut oaks indicate a rocky habitat and a forest of related hardwoods that include other oak species, hickory, ash, cedar and other trees found in the Piedmont area. These oaks have thrived on the property for over 150 years. They have endured wars and storms and changes in owners. Piedmont citizens are greatly in Ms. Johnson's debt because she regards the trees on her property as a first priority in her plans.

Tree Inventory

So where do you even begin to preserve these trees given the plans to build a premiere facility?

A good place to begin is with a tree inventory.

For Ms. Johnson, the forest contents will be recorded with all notable trees identified as to species, their state of health, size of critical root zones and any recommended activities that can be done to improve or maintain the tree's health. For instance, mature trees that are healthy can only be maintained by keeping deadwood pruned out of the canopies and their critical root zones mulched.

Tree preservation has become a sophisticated process that guarantees a high rate of success if basic tree care maintenance practices are followed. Trees are living organisms that respond if their environment is changed. If care is taken to keep the root zones intact with minimal disturbance to the soil, such trees will continue to thrive.

Once mapped, plans are made to protect trees.

Protection Plan

In the early stages of preconstruction, tree preservation fences are placed around the critical root zones of trees to be saved. No construction equipment or vehicle traffic are allowed in these areas to ensure that soil compaction will not occur.

Compacted soil and changes in grade are the most common cause of declining tree health after construction occurs.

Although in its early stages at Salamander Inn, the tree inventory will pinpoint trees to be saved and those that are in poor health. Construction adjustments can then be made to work around highly valuable trees so root zones are protected.

When tree roots are cut by trenching, cuts are to be cleanly made so the correct healing process can take place underground. "After care" may include watering and organic fertilization to keep the soil biology alive.

On construction projects where tree preservation plans are followed carefully, periodic inspections after construction are important to ensure that tree maintenance activities accurately reflect progress. Preserving the forest remnants that remain is also important to provide wildlife habitat.

Important

Healthy trees can increase the value of property by at least 20%. To preserve your trees, have them pruned periodically to remove dead wood. Do not ever top trees. Mulch around mature trees with wood chips to provide as close to a natural setting as possible.

Treat your trees as majestic living beings. Give them a place to thrive, especially in a community with other trees.

As for the Peter Pan tree…thanks to Ms. Johnson, it has a life all its own and will continue to thrive for many years to come.

Bonnie Deahl is a Certified Arborist from the Care of Trees' Dulles office: 703.661.1700 & 540.687.1800 www.thecareoftrees.com