Heritage Oak Tree News - January 2020

The Oakton “Mosby” Oak: Possible Heritage Tree Designation

Did you know that the huge oak tree at 2911 Hunter Mill Road (in the Giant Shopping Center and across from the Oakton Library) is at least 250 years old, rivaling the age of some of the trees found on George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate? In fact, the existing tree is one of a pair (the first removed when Chain Bridge Road was widened decades ago) and after which Oakton is named.

The Oakton Oak is on private commercial property managed by the VanMetre Companies. Last summer, the tree was damaged by lightning. The VanMetre Companies, at their own initiative and expense, have had an arborist evaluate the tree’s health. The arborist determined that the tree is not diseased but damaged. What good neighbors the VanMeter Companies are!

Distinguished Civil War Historian, James “Jim” Lewis, a long-time Oakton resident, recently contacted the VanMetre Companies about the state of the tree’s health and its importance to the Oakton community. Mr. Lewis also shared GOCA’s idea of having the tree designated a Fairfax County “Heritage Tree” under the provisions of the County’s “Heritage Tree Ordinance.” The VanMetre Companies expressed a willingness to discuss the idea. Mr. Lewis has agreed to keep in touch with them over the next several months. Thank you, Jim Lewis!