From 16th Street, NW.

Does anyone know if these marks mean the whole tree will be removed or just trimmed? Anyone know what the average lifespan is for some of the larger trees around town? I’m seeing these marks on some beautiful giants:

A reader sends in the photo above and @DCPoliceDept tweets:

“Traffic Alert: MPD reports a tree is blocking all Eastbound traffic in the 2500 block of Porter St, NW at (Connecticut Ave). DDOT and Metro notified. Please follow the directions of the Police officers./7066″

Another readers sends in this one:

The crape myrtles seem to be loving the hot weather – they’re in full effect all over town. From Petworth above and Capitol Hill below.

Photo from 8th St, SE by Josh

Photo from PoPville twitter follower @PuckBuddys

“Roof sheared off home on 1900 block of 13th Street, NW”

Photo from PoPville twitter follower @CSSiddall

“Big damage to 5 houses on 13th at ‪#WallachPlace‬. Missing roof w/ downpour expected. Roofer here. None hurt.”
@CSSiddall

Hope everyone’s power is back up now or very soon! Did your block lose any trees? Stay safe and cool today.

DDOT wrote:

Crews from the District Department of Transportation’s (DDOT) Urban Forestry Administration (UFA) are preparing to remove downed trees, branches and debris from District streets and neighborhoods. Crews are inspecting locations tonight to determine where contractors will set up to conduct this activity. Due to the power outrages and downed wires tree cleaning activities will be slow at first until daylight

Residents are reminded to stay away from downed wires. They could be energized and electrical contact could be fatal. Residents are also reminded to stay clear of broken hanging branches as they can fall at anytime.

District residents are reminded to call 311 or go online at 311.dc.gov to report downed trees and branches in public space and to be prepared to provide specific details about the location. The service requests are immediately forwarded to DDOT’s Urban Forestry Administration (UFA). Priority is given to street trees that have fallen on homes, cars and power lines, and trees that are blocking roadways; then UFA will shift its focus to storm clean up in alleys and other tree related storm debris.

DDOT is also coordinating with Pepco to address locations where wires are tangled in downed trees. To report a power outage please call Pepco at 877-PEPCO62. Customers may report outages online at pepco.com or download Pepco’s smart phone app, pepco.com/mobileapp, to report and track their outages.

District residents are reminded that trees and branches that fall on or from private property are the responsibility of the property owners.

Photo from Georgetown by PoPville twitter follower @DrewW13

Photo from 13th and Q St, NW by PoPville twitter follower @josh_fruscello

Photo from Kenyon and Mt. Pleasant St, NW by PoPville twitter follower @johnyorkwhit

Photo by Lupe Rodriguez

The “Smiling Petworth Greenman”.

I’m usually not a huge fan of these but I thought this one looked awesome.

Yesterday readers emailed and tweeted @PoPville:

“DCgov cut down3 mature trees from N side of 1400R NW in name of “responding to resident concerns about security”.

I took photos yesterday afternoon and saw three trees were removed on the north side of the 1400 block of R St, NW near the alley. I emailed MPD who confirmed the trees were removed for public safety although I do not know if it was a result of “resident concerns.”

This year, on May 6th there was a shooting on the 1400 block of R St, NW. And on May 7th a reader shared a a horrible mugging incident that occurred by the alley on the 1400 block of Q St, NW.

Do you think the removal of these three trees will increase the safety on that block?

Here’s what it looked like before from Google street view. It is the first three trees on the right hand side of the photo near the alley:

Photo via google street view

Today:

Anyone know what type of tree this is?

Admittedly I have a strange obsession with fruit trees in the city. This is the first Kumquat tree I’ve ever seen. It’s from 15th St, NW. The “mini oranges” are kumquats right?

A reader sends in the photo and asks:

“What is more important – public safety or new trees even if the new tree is planted in a way that could jeopardize public safety?”

From Capitol Hill.

I always forget about the democracy tree from Dupont near West End. I love the inscription on the plaque:

From DDOT:

To prevent the notoriously unpleasant odor of the popular ginkgo tree (Ginkgo biloba) from overtaking city streets, the District Department of Transportation’s Urban Forestry Administration (DDOT Trees) will begin spraying the unsavory smelling female ginkgo fruits tonight. DDOT Trees will use the same spray that has been used for the past several years, Shield-EC (also known as sprout nip).

The spraying will begin in Wards 1, 2 and 6, where female ginkgo trees are most prevalent, and continue through Wards 4, 5, 3, 7 and 8. Spraying will occur overnight for the next few nights and there is no need to move vehicles parked on streets.

A map of the female ginkgo trees to be treated is available online here.

I love stumbling upon these.