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(Andrew Harnik/Examiner)
Washington Mayor Anthony Williams shakes hands Thursday with Hans Johannsen, formerly the cities chief forester for 32 years, who received Casey Trees’ first Lifetime Achievement Award for his service. Awards are given out to public officials for their work to improve the city’s forestry efforts under D.C.’s biggest pecan tree, which sits on the estate of the Tudor House Historic House and Garden in Georgetown in Washington.

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Filed under: WASHINGTON , Michael Neibauer , Environment

WASHINGTON (Map, News) - The District’s largest trees have witnessed their share of carousing, climbing, canoodling and counting sheep. They are champions in the “City of Trees” that have stood tall, some for centuries, and on Thursday they were honored by the people committed to their protection.

Mary Arcuri of the 5000 block of Reno Road NW is the proud owner of the city’s largest dawn redwood, which stands at 151 inches around and 75 feet high. It is a family tree, she says: Her nephews climb it, and her dogs enjoy relaxing on its exposed roots.

“It’s a tree that lives with us and we love it,” Arcuri said.

During an event at the Tudor Place Historic House and Garden north of Georgetown, home to the largest pecan tree, the nonprofit Casey Trees unveiled its register of the largest hardwoods and softwoods in Washington, by selected species. From the tulip poplar to the Black Walnut, the ginkgo to the weeping willow, 26 trees made the list, some with trunks 38 feet around, or more.

The largest is a white oak in the 2800 block of Northampton Street NW — 220 inches in circumference, 105 feet tall and 122 feet across at its crown. Ken Williams, who owns the property most shaded by the mammoth tree, said visitors are all welcome to “come and enjoy.”

Casey Trees also honored outgoing Mayor Anthony Williams for his action on behalf of the District’s urban forest. Under the Williams administration, the District has planted some 25,000 trees and greatly reduced the response time and backlog for pruning and other maintenance, said Mark Buscaino, the organization’s executive director.

“Trees really are a great symbol of stewardship, of our responsibility to leave things better than we found them,” the mayor said.

More giant D.C. trees

» Northern red oak, 474 inch circumference and 135 feet tall, McPherson Square

» Ginkgo, 357 inch circumference and 102 feet tall, Farragut Square

» Japanese pagoda, 488 inch circumference and 92 feet tall, President’s Park

» Horse chestnut, 487 inch circumference and 56 feet tall, Capitol Reflecting Pool

» Scarlet oak, 188 inch circumference and 95 feet tall, 3374 Minnesota Ave. SE

» Tulip poplar, 223 inch circumference and 105 feet tall, Montrose Park

» White ash, 472 inch circumference and 82 feet tall, 17th Street and Independence Avenue

Comments from Examiner Readers

9:56 PM MST on Mon., Apr. 28, 2008 re: "Greenbelt can continue preservation"

Examiner Reader said:
I guess when the salmon count is so low that wildlife agencies have to place a mandatory ban on fishing to replenish their numbers, and when the whales are about 10-15% thinner, it's a sign that the oceans are stressed out. Kudos to the state Supreme Court for protecting the ocean and giving our coasts protective areas to restore ecosystems and rejuvenate her marine life.

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