Having a healthy and sustainable urban forest is a cooperative effort between property owners, developers, neighbors, and city staff. The city's urban forestry program, housed in the Department of Community Development and Planning, is responsible for management of the city's urban forest resources, tree-related policies and regulations, and encouraging community stewardship of public and private trees.
Stewarding, Planting, Restoring Our Urban Trees (SPROUT) is a new city initiative to activate members of our community to plant, care for, and learn about the trees that make up our urban forest. Launched with funding from a USDA Forest Service grant in 2024, SPROUT supports efforts to plant trees on public and private property, remove invasive plants from our parks and trails, and otherwise engage residents in activities that ensure the benefits of a healthy tree canopy can be enjoyed by all Fairfax residents for years to come.
Fairfax City has recognized as a Tree City USA® by the Arbor Day Foundation since 1986 (39 years). To receive annual recognition, a community must meet four core standards: Maintain a tree board or department; have a community tree ordinance; spend at least $2 per capita on urban forestry; and celebrate Arbor Day each year, typically celebrated by the city during the last week of April.
The City of Fairfax has additionally received the Growth Award for five consecutive years. To receive the Growth Award, a community must document activities that demonstrate higher levels of tree care and community engagement during the calendar year.
Learn about the city's regulations and permit requirements for tree maintenance, removal, and replacement.
For maintenance requests for street trees and trees on city property, contact Department of Public Works at trees@fairfaxva.gov.
For maintenance requests for trees in parks and along trails, contact Department of Parks and Recreation at parksrec@fairfaxva.gov.
Learn more about identifying and taking action on invasive Spotted Lanternfly and Tree-of-Heaven with these visual flyers.
Help prevent the loss of healthy trees, protect native plants and wildlife, and reduce the spread of harmful pests like disease-carrying ticks and the spotted lanternfly. Inside this guide, you’ll find information on how YOU can join a city-wide effort to reverse the spread of non-native, invasive plants — it’s easy to get started in your backyard, in your neighborhood, or on a favorite city trail.
Learn about invasive and native plant species that may be in your yard and how you can get involved with invasive removal efforts.
A factsheet on the health impacts of the urban heat island effect, developed in partnership with Virginia Clinicians for Climate Action.
A basic guide to planting a ball-and-burlap or containerized tree.
Learn more about the city's Stormwater Utility Credit Program in this easy-to-ready brochure.