Removal Of Trees At Vienna Wawa Site Leads To Apology

VIENNA, VA — The Town of Vienna has apologized for a misunderstanding that led to the removal of trees at the Wawa construction site at 465 Maple Avenue West. Wawa has offered to plant 12 to 15 new trees.

The trees removed on Nov. 21 included three silver maples on Town of Vienna property, one of which was 60-years-old. Vienna resident Ingrida Lusis told WJLA the tree removal left her home without privacy.

The Town of Vienna released a statement saying its arborist recommended at a preconstruction meeting that the trees should be taken down. However, that tree removal wasn't approved in the site plan.

The statement reads: "the Town’s arborist advised that, in his professional assessment, the trees on the Town’s property between Wawa and the neighbors’ property would be negatively impacted by construction activity and would almost certainly die within the next three years. He commented that the trees, which already showed signs of rot, decay, and disease, would need to be removed now or in the future."

Town Manager Mercury Payton said Wawa would not have acted without the Town's arborist. He said the appropriate action would have been assisting Wawa with revising and resubmitting the site plan.

"Both parties can accept some responsibility for removal of the unapproved trees, and we’re all very sorry for the impact this is having on Wawa’s neighbors," said Payton.

Wawa plans to plant new trees on Town of Vienna property as well as neighboring property. The tree planting will happen in the spring when conditions are more favorable.

The Wawa location is expected to open in April 2020.