Fairfax City’s mission is to enhance and beautify our landscapes through captivating and attractive plantings, and to preserve the sustainability of our urban forests, and furthermore encourage the conservation and education of our community for the common good of all of our residents and businesses.

The city makes efforts to ensure that appropriate plantings are being installed to better air quality, as well as other environmental factors, in addition to having abundant diversity in our urban forests and landscapes. We can achieve this by working together with citizens, volunteer groups, and our remarkable committees, to accomplish a myriad of objectives and make drastic strides in our preservation efforts.

We strive to make a difference and improve the quality of life for all of our community, to bring a sense pride to our citizens, and to leave behind a legacy of admiration for all. The city has remained a Tree City USA for more than three decades, and has been designated for the Keep America Beautiful and Keep Virginia Beautiful awards. We strive every day to uphold those accolades and to keep improving.

DON'T TOP YOUR TREES
Tree topping is the drastic removal, or cutting back, of large branches in mature trees that leave large, open wounds that subject the tree to disease and decay. Topping causes immediate injury to the tree and ultimately results in early failure or death of the tree. It does not make a tree less susceptible to storm damage. It does not invigorate a tree.

Topping is not pruning. Pruning can reduce the size of a tree while maintaining its natural shape, beauty and health.

Protect your trees by hiring only competent, insured and certified tree care professionals (who will not top a tree). Good Tree Care is a trusted resource for finding a certified professional. If you call a tree service company, be sure to ask if they have a certified arborist on staff.

Here are some resources for that can help you contribute to keeping your city green and clean:

• Click here for information on reporting common violations, including overgrown lawns, trash-filled lots, and hazardous trees.
• Report other landscaping and beautification issues via email, or call 703-385-7838.
• Click here for information on free mulch available to city residents and community associations.
  
• NEVER trim tree limbs near power lines. Contact Dominion Energy for information.
• Contact the National Arborist Association for advice on selecting a tree company for pruning, feeding and general tree care.
• If you need assistance with lawn, garden, or tree pests (such as gypsy moth), contact the Virginia Department of Forestry.