Dead Tree Removal in Fairfax County, VA

Tree problems in Fairfax County, VA that call for dead tree removal

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   What brings Fairfax trees down

   Summer derechos and thunderstorms, heavy wet snow like January 2022's storm that toppled trees across the county, and ice cause most emergency calls. Tulip poplars, oaks and other tall hardwoods are common in older neighborhoods and can fail when roots have been damaged by construction or the soil is saturated. Dead ash killed by emerald ash borer are a growing hazard along yards and trails.

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   Stream buffers: Resource Protection Areas

   Fairfax County's Chesapeake Bay Preservation Ordinance designates Resource Protection Areas (RPAs) along streams and wetlands, where clearing vegetation is restricted to protect water quality. Many backyards in older neighborhoods back onto an RPA. Removing a dead, diseased or dangerous tree there is generally allowed, but clearing healthy trees or grinding and regrading in the buffer can require county review and replanting.

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   Do you need a permit in Fairfax County?

   Virginia generally doesn't prohibit removing individual trees on your own property, and Fairfax County doesn't require a permit for most yard tree removals. A permit is required for any land-disturbing activity, including removing trees, over 2,500 square feet. Timber harvesting is regulated by the Virginia Department of Forestry.