FREDERICKSBURG, Va. (Sept. 21, 2026) — The City of Fredericksburg released its August 2026 Big Tree Survey and issued a summary of findings to support upcoming sidewalk restoration and tree management work.
The survey assessed 46 large trees, documenting condition, sidewalk conflicts and repair feasibility.
“We heard the concerns raised by the community and wanted to take an extra step to better understand the condition of these trees and the impact on our sidewalks,” said Will Morris, director of Public Works for the City of Fredericksburg. “This survey gives us a clearer picture of where repairs can be made while preserving healthy trees and where removal may be necessary for safety. Our goal is to protect our urban forest while also maintaining safe, accessible sidewalks for our community.”
Public Works identified 10 trees for removal, 14 trees requiring coordinated sidewalk repairs and 33 trees with sidewalk damage, 28 of which are considered fixable.
“As trees age, they become increasingly unstable and prone to failure,” explained City of Fredericksburg Arborist Bicknell Robbins. “They also have a greater tendency to damage the sidewalk and curb. The trees selected for removal were either not healthy enough to warrant the expense to make the sidewalk safe, or the repair needed cannot be completed without destabilizing the tree.”
The City plans to implement a two-track approach to address 22 trees requiring maintenance. While safety is the number one priority, Public Works will also focus on trees with significant structural or health concerns, and repairs for fixable sidewalks where healthy trees can be retained.
“The decision to remove a large heritage tree is a difficult one, and I don’t make it lightly,” said Robbins, who has more than 30 years of professional experience in arboriculture and horticulture.
For more information about the City’s Urban Canopy, visit: fredericksburgva.gov/1219/Urban-Forestry.