Three big cherry trees in the circle at the top of Q Street in Foxhall Village that had been marked for removal to make room for waterworks renovations will be spared.

DC Water redesigned its project to accommodate requests from community members to save the trees, part of a corridor of flowering cherry trees that fill the air with pink clouds each spring.

CHERRY PRESERVE: A revised waterworks renovation design saves a cluster of cherry trees in the circle at the top of Q Street in Foxhall Village that had been slated for removal. (See, Yoshino Shadow: A Famous Cherry Tree’s Cloaked Origin) Photo Credit: John A. Bray

DC Water had planned to install three valves and replace existing pipe under the circle. Instead, after further review, the existing section of water main under the circle will be cleaned and lined and the valves will be installed outside of the circle, according to Nyika Roberson-Ramos, DC Water project manager.

“This design revision will have no construction impact to the Q Street Circle,” Roberson-Ramos said in an April 20, 2018 email.

Earlier, concern about the effect of the digging on the trees prompted a plan to remove the trees and replace them with saplings.

The water pipe rehabilitation project in Foxhall Village is expected to be completed by August. (See, Water Pipe Rehab Coming To Foxhall)

Asked by Potomac Times about the project turnabout, Edward Giefer, associate director of the DC Office of Planning, said in an email that the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) reviewed the job under the DC preservation law, which “requires District agencies to consult with the SHPO on construction projects located on DC government property.

“Since the circle is a contributing landscape feature in the Foxhall Village Historic District, the SHPO recommended that DC Water avoid removal of the mature cherry trees.  After considering the issue, DC Water advised that the removal was unavoidable, but that they could replant the same type of cherries, selecting specimens that were as large as possible.

“Upon hearing community concerns about this solution, the SHPO encouraged DC Water to consult further with DDOT’s Forestry Division, the ANC, and the community before reaching a final decision, which it did by revising the plans.  If the community is inclined to express its appreciation to DC Water, the SHPO would support a George Washington award for their honorable response when questioned about chopping down the cherry trees.”