City Hall received a new tree recently to
replace the one damaged by Hurricane Isabel. Crews from Parks &
Urban Forestry had been working for several weeks to prepare the
plot of land in front of the City Hall Building. On Friday, February
27, they planted the new 20-foot Deodar Cedar, which is also
evergreen and will serve as the City’s holiday tree. Deodar cedar is
a rapid growing graceful pyramidal-shaped tree that will reach a
mature height of 70 feet or greater. Mature spread approximates the
height. The graceful branches weep slightly and have a very soft
texture. Once established, Deodar cedar is drought tolerant and is
considered a low maintenance tree in southeastern Virginia. The new
tree was delivered from a nursery in Richmond.
The large Eastern Red Cedar that had served as the City’s official
Christmas tree since 1975 was removed in January. The tree was
removed because Hurricane Isabel partially uprooted the tree and
broke several branches. Isabel’s wrath, combined with damage from
prior storms, left the tree in an unsightly condition.
throughout the city.
