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Final Report for Cape Charles 2017 Tree Survey

April 29, 2018 by 1 Comment

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.

 

Significant Signature Trees among Trees
Common to our Area

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

 

·
Sweet Bay Magnolia

·
Downy Serviceberry

·
Red Bud

·
Southern Arrowwood Vibernum

·
Sourwood

·
Beauty Berry

·
Blue Ash

·
Red Bay

·
Beach plum

·
Southern Wax Myrtle

·
Red Maple

 

·
Blackgum

 

·
Carolina Silverbell

 

 

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

Filed Under: Bottom, News

Comments

  1. Hope says

    April 29, 2018 at 10:41 am

    Thank you to the volunteer team! Will make the walking tour even more informative! I’ve done it for the NYC Parks Department.

    Reply

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