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Photo Exhibit: Saving Trees in Rock Creek Park Golf Course

By Roshani Kothari

Over 1,000 trees, including Native heritage trees, are slated to get cut down in Rock Creek Park Golf Course, as part of Phase 1 of the Rock Creek Park Golf Course Rehabilitation Project, which the National Capital Planning Commission voted to approve on September 5, 2024. This treasured National Park is located on the east side of Rock Creek Park, along 16th St. NW, north of Military Road NW in Washington, DC.

In response to the Rock Creek Park Golf Course Rehabilitation project, Casey Trees, a local nonprofit dedicated to protecting DC’s tree canopy, issued a policy statement that “Strongly encourages NPS to limit the removal of healthy trees, in particular healthy trees that fit into the District’s definition of Special and Heritage Trees, even if it means reconfiguring greens and fairways to accommodate those trees.”

These trees are on federal land and are not protected under D.C.'s § 8–651.04a. Protection of Heritage Trees, which makes it illegal to cut down trees over 100 inches or more in circumference, which is calculated as 31.8 or higher in DBH (Diameter Breast Height).

Why Should These Trees Get Protected?

This graphic from Nature Conservancy illustrates the importance of trees in cities like Washington, D.C. In addition to destroying the habitats for many birds and animals, cutting down over 1,000 trees could also impact stormwater management and worsen the urban heat island effect.

Which Trees Are Slated to Get Cut Down?

As the Phase 1 tree removal process was nearing, I thought this may be our last chance to see these incredible trees with our own eyes, photograph them and try to save them. I decided to organize a photo hike and invite others in the community to learn about the Native trees under threat, measure them, and photograph them. I researched the trees slated for removal in National Park Service's Rock Creek Park Golf Course Tree Inventory Analysis, which showed a total of 1,069 trees slated to be removed in Phase 1, including 873 Native trees and 196 Invasive and Non Native trees. Based on the information in this database, I compiled a list of Native trees that are more than 100 inches in circumference that are in good condition. These include Black Locust, Tulip Trees, Pin Oaks and other varieties. The database provided an approximate location of the tree on a map, so I could find them. Instead of talking about these trees abstractly, I went to Rock Creek Park Golf Course to find the trees and see what type of condition they are in.

Photo Exhibit: Saving Trees in Rock Creek Park Golf Course

On Sunday, October 20, a group of photographers and activists met at Rock Creek Park Golf Course to learn about some of the Native trees in good condition that are slated to get cut down in the coming months. We were joined by arborists who showed us how to identify and measure trees. Below are some of the photos taken during the hike. I hope these photos will inspire everyone to continue to take action to help save these gentle giants that are not only homes to many creatures, but help us in so many ways. It's our turn to help them by protecting them!