Fairfax Tree Rescuers PRISM August 2026 Update
Fairfax Tree Rescuers PRISM’s work can seem daunting when you see the many trees needing rescue in our parks, other public land, and private property. But small acts can grow into great deeds!
You might have heard the story about the little boy who would go to the beach when the tide washed in hundreds of sea stars. He would toss as many as he could back into the water. One day an old man noticed the boy and challenged him; he couldn’t possibly save all of the sea stars, why was he wasting his time?
The boy walked over to a sea star, picked it up, and threw it back into the water. “I made a difference to that one” was all he said. The man was so inspired he joined the boy in his efforts. In time, word got out and others joined as well.
Just like the child in the story of “The Star Thrower” (adapted from Loren Eiseley’s essay by the same name), Fairfax Tree Rescuers PRISM’s goal is to save one tree at a time and inspire others to join us in our efforts. So far, over 5,700 Fairfax County trees have been saved and we’re working hard to save the next 5,700.
Help us spot Kudzu
Kudzu is easy to spot this time of year because its leaves are noticeably broader than those of other invasive vines. We want to map out every infestation in Fairfax/Falls Church. Can you help? If you see any, take a photo and check the map to see if it has already been documented. If not, email the photo to
Sign up for Blue Ridge PRISM Weed Alerts
Blue Ridge PRISM sends out fantastic emails periodically - pithy but very informative - about invasive plants. Sign up on their website. We rely on them for their excellent educational material. Our job as Fairfax PRISM is to bring you local information.
October Fall Extravaganza: New Tree Rescue Events Welcome!
We’ve already reached out to the organizers of the Spring Extravaganza to ask them to organize another tree rescue during Extravaganza II.
If you’d also like to organize a tree rescue in your community, please reach out to Peg Boyne at
Know your native vines: Virginia Creeper
How do we know it’s native? It’s in the name! Virginia creeper is found throughout Virginia and the eastern United States. A member of the grape family, it has five serrated leaflets on a central stem. For this reason, it’s sometimes called “five leaved ivy” or “five finger.” A deciduous vine, it turns red in the fall, offering lovely autumn color. It also produces numerous berries that are an important source of wintertime food for birds (but are toxic to humans). A vigorous grower, it could offer some competition to English Ivy and other invasive vines. Learn more about Virginia creeper here.
Know your invasives: Kudzu
Kudzu is a fast growing invasive vine capable of overwhelming trees, shrubs, buildings, and entire landscapes. Often called “the vine that ate the South,” kudzu can grow up to a foot per day in summer and more than 60 feet in a single season. Kudzu has covered millions of acres of public and private land, forming massive blankets of foliage that bury everything beneath them.
In Fairfax County, Kudzu is not yet too prevalent, but there are some horrific infestations scattered around. Examples are along the VRE in Burke, another one a couple of miles up Route 123 on GMU property, and yet another one in Occoquan Regional Park.
Once established, kudzu spreads relentlessly, forming impenetrable tangles that destroy scenic views, wildlife habitat, and property value.
You can help us prevent the spread of kudzu in Fairfax County by documenting where it is growing here and sharing the pictures/locations with us at
Our progress: We’ve rescued 50 trees since our last newsletter. 31 are in Mason District Park in Annandale; they were rescued from the vines over the course of the month, eight here, five there-- and you can see how it’s added up! This is true for all of the sites that have been chipping away. The pace will increase as the weather cools (and keep an eye out for our next Extravaganza) but even these “small” efforts make a BIG difference!
Support Fairfax Tree Rescuers PRISM
If you are unable to join us in the field or want to make a positive impact in a different way, please consider donating to Fairfax Tree Rescuers PRISM. We are a grassroots, volunteer run organization with minimal operating expenses, but we can’t succeed in our mission without tools, outreach, and the mini-grants that help our tree rescues throughout our neighborhoods.