Arbor Day: A New Tree In Vienna [Photos]

This year, the town's new golden weeping willow is just an infant, guided by two wooden stakes in a small square of dirt near the Old Caboose.

But in 10 years time the top of the branches will reach 35 feet, stretching toward Church Street and the W&OD Trail to form a canopy of shade for residents and passerbys enjoying one of the town's most popular green spaces.

That was the vision shared by officials and residents who planted the tree on Friday during the town's annual Arbor Day Ceremony — part of what helped it earn the title of "Tree City USA" for the 12th consecutive year.

The title is given by the Arbor Day Foundation, along with the National Association of State Foresters and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service, "to honor its commitment to urban forestry." As of last year, there were about 55 towns or cities with the designation in Virginia.

In order to receive the award, towns must have four things: a tree board or department, a tree care ordinance, a community forestry program with an annual budget of at least $2 per person and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.

In years past, the town has planted a fig tree near the Vienna Elementary School community garden and a pair of trees along the side of the Vienna Town Hall.

Rebecca Greenberg, an arborist with the Town of Vienna, said the town selected the golden weeping willow because of its size— the area near the W&OD had plenty of space for a large tree to grow.

"We wanted to take advantage of the big open space," she said. "It's a shady tree people can enjoy."

For photos from the ceremony, click through the pictures in the media player above.

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