Tree Tips

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Hire an Arborist

Before hiring a professional:

Remember to check if you need a city tree removal permit and review any guidelines your homeowner's association may have before pruning or removing a tree. To apply for a tree permit, visit our Permit Portal.
Look for companies that employ certified arborists. Ask for professional certification information and verify a credential here.
Ask for proof of liability insurance. This is separate from a business license and the insurance policy should cover personal and property damage as well as worker's compensation protection for their employees.
Make sure you get everything in writing and read the contract carefully so that you are comfortable with the details.
Get more than one estimate and do not always accept the lowest bid.
Beware of individuals who go door-to-door offering bargains.
Ensure Virginia 811 has been contacted prior to digging to avoid utility line damage.

Stormwater Utility Credit Program

You may be eligible to reduce your Stormwater Utility (SWU) fee by preserving and/or planting trees on your property. Learn more about ways to earn credit on our Stormwater Utility Credit Program webpage.

Tree Canopy Expansion

Plant tree sets on your property. Tree sets consist of two trees, at least one-inch caliper, that are planted at least 12 feet apart. Trees must be native to Northern Virginia. With this credit, you are eligible for up to a maximum of three billing units (BU). This credit is effective for two years and can be renewed by providing proof of ongoing care and maintenance of the originally planted trees that generated the credit, or through the replacement of any trees that were planted in the intervening period.

Tree Canopy Preservation

You can document the preservation of trees on your property. Preserved trees must be healthy, unaffected by invasive species, and at least 12 inches in diameter at standard height (DSH is 4.5 feet up from the ground) or 38 inches in circumference. You can count multiple trees for 50 inches or more in total diameter or 157.5 inches in total circumference. With this credit, you are eligible for up to a maximum of three billing units (BU). Approved tree preservation credits are valid for two years, and you can reapply for the credit biannually. Watch this video to see how to measure trees on your property →

Master Tree List

Invasive & Vulnerable Plant List

Where can I get native trees?

The City of Fairfax currently offers free trees to resident each spring and fall through our SPROUT initiative. Learn more →

The Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District holds a Native Tree and Shrub Seedling Sale each spring. The theme and exact species of each seedling package vary from year to year. Learn more and sign up for email notifications on the NVSWCD webpage.

The Virginia Department of Forestry sells native tree seedlings online at relatively low cost. Orders can be placed from early October through late April. Visit the VDOF Seedling Store to learn more.

You can also find native plant nurseries in your area by visiting the Plant NOVA Trees website and check that trees are listed in Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Native Plant Finder.

How do I select the right tree and the right place for planting?

Here are some resources you can use to select the right tree and the right place for planting on your property.

Before starting any planting project, contact Virginia 811 three days before to avoid utility line damage.

How do I plant a tree?

What is an ISA Certified Arborist?

ISA Certified Arborists are specially trained in tree care and carry an active certification number that is verifiable through the International Society of Arboriculture. The ISA has minimum work experience and/or educational training requirements prior to certification and once certified, requires continued educational experience reviewed and verified by the industry. All ISA Certified Arborists are required to use ISA best management practices and other verified industry standards.

How can I find a certified arborist?

How often should my trees be inspected?

What should my tree look like after it's been pruned?

What can I do about invasive species?

Non-native, invasive species pose a significant threat to our urban forest. Invasive plants compete with native plants in way that is disruptive to natural habitats, wildlife, and ecosystems. As invasive species spread, our forests become less diverse and more vulnerable to diseases and natural disasters. You can help combat the spread of invasive species by identifying and managing them in your own backyard.

Confirm your plant is invasive with an app like iNaturalist, Seek, or PictureThis, as many invasive plants have native plant look-a-likes. Other identification resources include:
Determine how invasive the plant is to help prioritize what to manage first:
Find the right management and control method:
Other ways to take action against invasive species: National Invasive Species Information Center

Remember, digging out invasives with large root systems, such as bamboo or trees, may require heavy equipment and coordination with Virginia 811.

Thanksgiving Holiday, Nov. 27-29

Closure, Service Information • Holiday Refuse Service Schedule