Dear Barnaby Woods Neighbors,

I’m happy to report that, with a generous outpouring of donations, the Barnaby Woods neighborhood has been able to pay the whole bill for the services of the private arborist we hired to help save our trees.

You may recall that the Barnaby Woods Tree Task Force engaged arborist Keith Pitchford last fall to test 10 trees in Barnaby Woods which had been targeted by Pepco for removal. (Three other trees had been removed last September before a stop-work order was arranged by Councilmember Adrian Fenty.)

Our Advisory Neighborhood Commission generously paid for those tests, but additional work turned out to be necessary to analyze the results and other tests performed by the city with a different technology, and to present the findings at meetings with DC officials.

The tests and analyses were crucial in persuading the Urban Forestry Administration to step in and save five of the 10 trees. And the tests gave us the assurance that the remaining five trees did indeed need to be removed. In addition, the 10 trees in Barnaby Woods served as a scientific sample for the whole city—which showed that at least 50% of Pepco’s original recommendations for tree removal were in error. Partly as a result, the city has started to make some big improvements in its tree policies.

Keith’s Pitchford’s tests, which used a machine called a resistograph, also turned out to be an important way to cross-check the city’s new X-ray technology. City foresters understandably prefer the X-ray method because it is noninvasive (the resistograph Keith Pitchford used requires boring a small hole in the wood of the tree). However, several X-rays indicated substantial decay where the wood turned out to be solid, indicating that further adjustments are necessary. The resistograph tests helped prevent errors being made about the fate of those trees.

The bill for Keith Pitchford’s services was $971.25. I went ahead and paid the whole amount so that Keith, who had already waited four months, could be paid without further delay. Neighbors Larry Abramson and Dean Girdis (a fellow task force member) quickly reimbursed me for $250 and $100. The three of us had faith that our neighbors would in turn reimburse us.

And our faith was not disappointed. Since the task force sent a “begging letter” to the neighbors, I received donations in April and May, almost all ranging from $25 to $50, which have made it possible to reimburse everyone who contributed more than $50. Twenty-eight households comprising more than 50 (adult) neighbors contributed in all—including several who do not (or no longer) live near the particular trees in question.

To me, the whole episode proves that the Barnaby Woods neighborhood is just that—a community of neighbors looking out for each other. I will try to thank as many of you as possible in person, but also wanted to thank you publicly.

Sincerely,

John Mueller
6415 Barnaby Street