This is the final report for the Cape Charles 2017 Tree Survey. The report was prepared by Barbara O’Hare (barboh5@gmail.com), for the team of master naturalists. The Mirror is publishing this report in its entirety. The report contains a wealth of data, but it is provided in table format.
Overview
Southern Magnolia,Madison Ave (Photo Jane McKinley)
The Town of Cape Charles Historic Review Committee asked the Eastern Shore Master Naturalists to conduct the 2017 Cape Charles Tree Survey in the historic district. The Eastern Shore Chapter of the Virginia Master Naturalist Program is a corps of well-informed volunteers who provide stewardship, citizen science, and education/outreach dedicated to the beneficial management of natural resources and natural areas. The Master Naturalists who participated in the tree survey include:
Terry Ewell
Jack Humphreys (former forester)
Judy Ilmensee
Nancy Kinzinger
Donna Nelson
Barbara O’Hare
Susan Russell
Bob Toner
The volunteers were divided into two teams, each focusing on either the East or West side of town, with Peach Street being the dividing street. All trees on each town lot in the historic district were enumerated, including the lot location, the species, and the estimated height and diameter. In addition to this information, the teams noted particularly healthy signature trees, unusual species trees, and distressed trees, to be brought to the attention of the town management.
Summary of Tree Survey Findings
Cape Charles is noted for its crape myrtle lined streets and many old basswood, pecan, and sycamore trees from the early era of the town. The team found a wide variety of trees, many of which are native to the area, such as basswood, pecans, sycamores, maples, and oaks, and some of which have been introduced such as crape myrtles and true cedars.
In the tables below, we highlight some of the notable trees among those common to our area and those that are unusual to our area. These lists are to provide a brief overview of some of the treasures in town. All trees enumerated in our survey have been compiled in a database held by the town Historic Review Committee.
Trees are listed in alphabetical order within each table. Photos of selected notable trees appear in Appendix A. A more complete list of notable trees that are good examples of trees common to our area appear in Appendix B.
|
Tree Species |
Height (ft.) |
Trunk Diameter (inches) |
Location |
Notes |
|
American holly |
40 |
12&8 |
212 Madison |
|
|
Bald cypress |
40 |
18 |
209 Randolph |
Native, pest free, well-shaped |
|
Basswood |
50 |
60 |
Across from P.O. |
Old, well-shaped |
|
Basswood |
70 |
36 |
627 Madison |
|
|
Basswood |
40 |
38 |
653 Tazewell |
huge 2 trunks |
|
Black Walnut |
60 |
30 |
543 Madison |
Front of rear house |
|
Catalpa |
70 |
15 |
620 Jefferson |
|
|
Cherry |
20 |
multi |
Blk. 16 Lots 281-287 |
very old in side yard; lrg. canopy |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Crape Myrtles |
25 |
18 |
Monroe, first block |
|
|
Elm |
50 |
70 |
222 Jefferson |
Old and valuable species |
|
Hackberry |
75 |
60 |
2 Monroe |
|
|
Hackberry |
60 |
unseen |
643 Monroe |
old |
|
Loblolly |
40 |
30 |
210 Tazewell |
Very healthy, well formed |
|
Mulberry |
35 |
32 |
518 Jefferson Blk.8.152 |
very old |
|
Pecan |
50 |
24 |
Randolph Ave., Lot behind library |
Well formed, signature tree in commercial area |
|
(3) Pecans |
90 |
27 |
542 Madison |
side yard |
|
Privet tree |
16 |
9 |
Tazewell and Plum |
Healthy, but invasive; old landscaping species |
|
Red Oak |
70 |
unseen |
705 Monroe |
|
|
Red Oak |
50 |
24 |
715 Tazwell |
front yard |
|
Red Oak |
50 |
27 |
506 Randolph |
rear yard |
|
Southern Magnolia |
50 |
20 |
727 Tazwell |
side yard |
|
Southern magnolia |
40 |
25 |
2 Madison |
Tall, well-shaped |
|
(3) Sycamores |
35 |
25 |
Tazewell, Christian School |
|
|
Sycamore |
50 |
37 |
239 Monroe |
|
|
(10) Sycamores |
50 |
30 |
711 Tazewell |
side yard |
|
Tulip Poplar |
50 |
38 |
620 Tazwell |
front yard |
|
Water oak |
35 |
24 |
110 Tazewell |
Well balanced |
|
Willow oak |
60 |
30 |
204-206 Madison |
Well balanced |
|
White ash |
50 |
50 |
306 Bay |
Old, well-shaped |
| The following list of trees includes species of trees that are unusual to our area, some of which are very old, and are worthy of highlighting to those with interest in our community.
Unusual Tree Species for our Area |
||||
|
Tree Species |
Height (ft.) |
Trunk Diameter (ins.) |
Location |
Notes |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Blue Spruce |
30 |
16 |
315 Harbor |
~ 50 yrs. old |
|
Cedar of Lebanon |
30 |
20 |
205 Peach |
One of a few old cedars in town |
|
Cedar of Lebanon (Deodora?) |
35 |
40 |
Side of Post Office |
|
|
Cedar of Lebanon |
35 |
36 |
South side of Mason, across from Strawberry |
|
|
Cedar of Lebanon |
50 |
30 |
705 Monroe |
|
|
Cedar of Lebanon |
30 |
6 |
Blk 37 Mason opposite Peach |
|
|
Cedar of Lebanon |
30 |
36 |
118 Fig |
topped front yard |
|
Chaste tree |
16 |
Multi |
Side of 107 Mason |
|
|
Chinaberry |
30 |
20 |
115 Randolph |
Healthy, invasive |
|
Cottonwood |
50 |
60 |
Block 2 Lot 31 |
Huge, old, trumpet vine growing on it |
|
Dawn Redwood |
40 |
unseen |
539 Monroe |
|
|
Eucalyptus |
15 |
8 |
223 Randolph |
|
|
Eucalyptus |
20 |
|
114 Peach |
side yard |
|
Flowering Pink Chestnut |
15 |
clump |
506 Monroe (front) |
|
|
Gingko |
10 |
6 |
522 Monroe |
unusual species |
|
Japanese Maple |
25 |
24 |
644 Monroe |
25’ canopy!! |
|
Japanese Maple |
15 |
|
642 Randolph |
front yard |
|
(2) Kentucky Coffee |
40 each |
unseen |
527 Randolph 28.463 |
|
|
Lace Bark Elm |
30 |
unseen |
Blk 29 425 Randolph |
unusual species |
|
Paulonia |
25 |
15 |
3 Park Row |
|
|
Pomegranate |
10 |
8 |
614 Tazewell |
front yard unusual |
|
Princess tree |
25 |
15 & 15 |
Jefferson vacant (10.192) |
Invasive |
|
Torreya “cypress” |
40 |
15 |
213 Monroe |
Front curb |
|
Distressed Trees |
||||
|
Tree Species |
Height (ft.) |
Trunk Diameter (ins.) |
Location |
Notes |
|
(2) Arborvitae |
|
|
515 Tazwell (rear) |
dying/ bagworms |
|
Basswood |
40 |
16 |
225 Randolph |
Distressed |
|
Basswood |
30 |
30 |
639 Monroe (streetside) |
severely pruned |
|
Basswood |
50 |
20 |
Blk. 2 Lot 31 Jefferson |
strangled by trumpet vine |
|
Catalpa |
20 |
40 |
Washington Blk. 2 Lot 53A |
damaged/topped |
|
Cherry |
8 |
|
Blk. 29 425 Tazwell (front) |
dying |
|
Chinaberry |
50 |
40 |
115 Randolph |
Distressed, rotting |
|
(2) Dogwoods |
15 |
|
545 Randolph (side of Catholic Church |
dying |
|
Elm |
40 |
50 |
239 Monroe |
Distressed |
|
Hackberry |
40 |
34 |
10 Randolph |
Split, risk |
|
Hackberry |
50 |
24 |
610 Madison (rear) |
very stressed |
|
Juniper |
30 |
12 |
619 Mason (front) |
severe Bagworm |
|
Maple |
30 |
36 |
15A Plum |
severely pruned; missing crown |
|
Maple |
40 |
18 |
Randolph & Pine |
Dead |
|
Maple |
40 |
30 |
Blk. 7 Lot J (front) |
damaged/very stressed |
|
Mulberry |
15 |
|
711 Tazwell (front) |
stressed |
|
Myrtle |
25 |
12 |
533 Madison (front) |
tree growing around wire |
|
Myrtle |
35 |
15 |
608 Madison (front) |
stressed |
|
Myrtle |
25 |
lrg. clump |
510 Monroe (front) |
stressed |
|
Myrtle |
40 |
30 |
606 Madison (front) |
stressed |
|
Oak |
30 |
35 |
304 Tazewell |
Distressed |
|
Ornamental Pear |
15 |
8 |
711 Tazwell (front) |
stressed |
|
Pecan |
35 |
12 |
512 Monroe (rear) |
nearly dead |
|
Pecan |
60 |
24 |
608 Madison (side) |
split trunk ? |
|
(2) Photinia |
8 |
|
409 Tazwell (side) |
stressed |
|
Photinia |
10 |
|
653 Tazwell (side) |
dead/dying |
|
Plum |
25 |
12 |
608-10 Jefferson (7H) |
stressed |
|
(2) Plums |
|
|
520 Washington |
stressed |
|
Redbud |
20 |
clump |
526 Tazwell (front) |
stressed |
|
Red Oak |
15 |
12 |
Blk. 36 S. side of Mason / opposite Plum |
struggling |
|
Silver maple |
50 |
70 |
223 Jefferson |
Distressed |
|
Sweet gum |
40 |
36 |
Madison vacant (10.186) |
Rotten! |
|
Sycamore |
25 |
24 |
Plum 15.278 |
missing crown |
|
Walnut |
30 |
|
Blk. 21 empty lot next to 606 Monroe |
being choked by overgrowth |
|
(2) of (4) Willow Oak |
12 |
2 |
Blk. 3 center island |
very stressed |
Tree Survey Team Suggested Next Steps
The tree survey team enjoyed creating an inventory of all the trees in the historic district of Cape Charles. We appreciate that the town values the trees as a resource that provides not only beauty and charm to the town, but also contributes to a healthy ecosystem supporting birds, insects, small mammals, and other flora.
The team’s skills were identifying and listing the trees, and our knowledge certainly grew during the 3 months of data gathering! We hope that the Town will take this information to support and update current policies regarding the trees, and consider new ways to make our citizens and visitors aware of the treasures we have here. We offer these “recommendations” as ideas to be discussed with the appropriate town leaders.
Possible next steps:
1. Develop a list of preferred trees for home landscaping and for public area plantings that include trees that are native to the area, support wildlife and are climate tolerant. These trees should be planted where appropriate space is available for them to mature. For example, the growth of basswood and other large species under power lines is necessitating trimming of the trees in ways that may destabilize them. See the list below for some suggested appropriate trees and large shrubs.
2. Contract with an arborist to review the health of our trees in the VDOT areas and to review our tree policies.
3. Consider improving the showcasing of the crape myrtle lined streets by thinning out poorly growing trees and trimming trees to a consistent shape.
4. Schedule a presentation to the Town Council and in a town forum to make citizens aware of our trees – both the notable trees and to review the current policies on trimming, removing and planting new trees.
5. Prepare a brief pamphlet on our town’s notable trees and key facts about our signature species of trees, for distribution at the welcome center and library.
NATIVE TREES AND SHRUBS FOR CAPE CHARLES LANDSCAPING
|
Trees
|
Shrubs
|
|
· |
· |
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· |
· |
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· |
· |
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· |
· |
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· |
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APPENDIX B ADDITIONAL HEALTHY TREES OF NOTE Significant Signature Trees among Trees Common to our Area |
||||
|
Tree Species |
Height (ft.) |
Diameter (inches) |
Location |
Notes |
|
American holly |
35 |
Multi |
4 Harbor |
Healthy, but blocks intersection sight line |
|
American holly |
40 |
12&8 |
212 Madison |
|
|
Bald cypress |
40 |
18 |
209 Randolph |
Native, pest free, well shaped |
|
Basswood |
40 |
60 |
Across from P.O. |
Old, well-shaped |
|
Basswood |
50 |
33 |
215 Monroe |
Beautiful Shape |
|
Black walnut |
50 |
18 |
~ 217 Madison |
|
|
Crape myrtle |
30 |
25 |
206 Harbor |
|
|
Crape Myrtles |
25 |
18 |
Monroe, first block |
|
|
Elm |
50 |
70 |
222 Jefferson |
Old and valuable species |
|
Hackberry |
75 |
60 |
2 Monroe |
|
|
Loblolly |
40 |
30 |
210 Tazewell |
Very healthy, well formed |
|
Loblollies |
60 |
25 |
3 Randolph |
Healthy grouping |
|
Pecan |
60 |
50 |
614 Plum St. |
Well formed |
|
Pecan |
50 |
24 |
Lot behind library |
Well formed, complements commercial district |
|
Pecan |
70 |
40 |
2 Tazewell |
|
|
Pecan |
40 |
25 |
113 Tazewell |
Beautiful, well-shaped |
|
Privet tree |
16 |
9 |
Tazewell and Plum |
Very healthy, but very invasive; an old landscaping species |
|
Red Maple |
70 |
60 |
118 Pine |
|
|
Red oak |
55 |
20 |
104 Monroe |
|
|
Silver maple |
50 |
36 |
231 Tazewell |
|
|
Southern magnolia |
40 |
25 |
~ 505 Harbor |
|
|
Sycamores (3) |
40 |
20 |
Pine St by Library |
|
|
Sycamores |
35 |
25 |
Tazewell, Christian School |
|
|
Sycamore |
50 |
37 |
239 Monroe |
|
|
Water oak |
35 |
16 |
South side of Mason, across from Strawberry |
|
|
Water oak |
35 |
24 |
112 Tazewell |
Well balanced |
|
Willow oaks |
18 |
6 |
Central Park |
Healthy, recent plantings |
|
Willow oak |
60 |
30 |
204-206 Madison |
Well balanced |
|
Willow oak |
60 |
18 |
218 Randolph |
|
|
White ash |
50 |
50 |
306 Bay |
|
|
Point Oak |
60 |
48 dbl. |
540 Jefferson |
|
|
Catalpa |
70 |
15 |
620 Jefferson |
|
|
Basswood |
70 |
36 |
627 Madison |
|
|
Black Walnut |
60 |
30 |
543 Madison |
Front of rear house |
|
Mulberry |
35 |
32 |
518 Jefferson Blk.8 Lot 152 |
very old |
|
Pecan |
50 |
48 |
Blk. 9 Lot 169B-170 |
|
|
Basswood |
60 |
27 |
602 Madison |
Side yard on Nectarine |
|
Basswood |
60 |
38 |
603 Monroe |
|
|
Hackberry |
60 |
unseen |
643 Monroe |
old |
|
Red Oak |
70 |
unseen |
705 Monroe |
|
|
Pecan |
60 |
unseen |
527 Monroe |
|
|
(2) Basswoods |
40 |
15 |
554 Madison |
side yard |
|
Basswood |
35 |
20 |
554 Madison |
front yard |
|
(3) Pecans |
90 |
27 |
542 Madison |
side yard |
|
(2) Pecans |
80 |
24 |
542 Madison |
rear yard |
|
Mature Bradford Pear |
25 |
18 |
Blk.16 Lots 281-287 |
very old In parking lot |
|
Cherry |
20 |
multi |
Blk. 16 Lots 281-287 |
very old in side yard; lrg. canopy |
|
(2) Redbuds |
25 |
8 |
711 Tazewell |
front |
|
(10) Sycamores |
50 |
30 |
711 Tazewell |
side yard |
|
(5) Sycamores |
30 |
24 |
304 Fig |
front yard |
|
(9) Cedars |
20 |
8-24 range |
Blk. 20 Lots 33,34,35 |
on Fulcher St. |
|
(2) Bald Cypress |
20 |
15 |
Blk. 20 Lots 33,34,35 |
on Fulcher St. |
|
(2) Cedars |
30 |
24 |
Blk. 20 Lots 33,34,35 |
on Fulcher St. |
|
Crape Myrtle |
20 |
clumped |
Blk.15 front of duplex |
old |
|
Basswood |
40 |
38 |
653 Tazewell |
huge 2 trunks |
|
Myrtle |
25 |
clumped |
514 Monroe |
very old |
|
Oak |
50 |
unseen |
545 Tazewell |
across rear alley? |
|
Myrtle |
20 |
clumped |
529 Tazewell |
very old |
|
Southern Magnolia |
50 |
20 |
727 Tazwell |
side yard |
|
Red Oak |
50 |
24 |
715 Tazwell |
front yard |
|
Silver Maple |
50 |
unseen |
543 Randolph |
|
|
Maple |
30 |
48 |
116 Fig |
topped front yard |
|
Tulip Poplar |
50 |
38 |
620 Tazwell |
front yard |
|
(2) White Oaks |
40 each |
20 |
552-554 Tazewell |
front yard |
|
(2) Myrtles |
25 each |
clumped |
633 Randolf |
Historically old |
|
Myrtle |
30 |
clumped |
509 Randolph |
impressive |
|
Persimmon |
25 |
4 |
642 Randolph |
front yard |
|
Copper Beech |
8 |
|
642 Randolph |
front yard |
|
Pin Oak |
40 |
20 |
642 Randolph |
front yard |
|
Maple |
40 |
15 |
642 Randolph |
front yard |
|
(2) Myrtles |
20 |
clumped |
606 Randolph |
historically old |
|
Myrtle |
15 |
|
618 Randolph |
historically old |
|
Red Oak |
30 |
15 |
Blk 35 Lot 534 Mason |
corner N. side of Mason |
|
Red Oak |
50 |
27 |
506 Randolph |
rear yard |
|
Black Walnut |
30 |
12 |
506 Randolph |
side yard |
|
Maple |
45 |
48 |
506 Randolph |
side yard |
|
Sycamore |
50 |
30 |
536 Randolph |
rear yard |
|
Oak |
35 |
15 |
416 Randolph |
rear yard |
|
Oak |
45 |
60 multi |
416 Randolph |
|
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Thank you to the volunteer team! Will make the walking tour even more informative! I’ve done it for the NYC Parks Department.