As of September 11, 2006 HDCMS has facilitated the installation of 24 iron tree box borders on the Connecticut Avenue Commercial Corridor.  HDCMS greatly appreciates the partnership and investment of the following businesses:

La Tomate - installed 6 iron tree boxes borders at the corner of Connecticut Avenue and 20th Street.

Mourayo - installed 1 tree box border on west side of the 1700 block of Connecticut Avenue.

The Leather Rack - installed 2 iron tree box borders on the 1700 block of 20th Street.

Bistrot du Coin - installed 4 iron tree box borders on the west side of the 1700 of Connecticut Avenue and 1 at the corner of 21st Street and Florida Avenue.

Solis Betancourt Inc. - installed 3 iron tree box borders on the east side of the 1700 block of Connecticut Avenue.  The eastside of the 1700 block of Connecticut Avenue now has an iron border in every tree box.

The Church of Scientology - installed 6 iron tree box borders at the corner of R and 20th streets.

Melody Records - installed one iron tree box border.  Melody Records is the first business or property owner to install an iron tree box border on the 1600 block of Connecticut Avenue.     ___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Iron tree box borders and healthy plantings display a high level of care in a commercial corridor. In turn, noticeable and well maintained tree boxes raise the profile of the area. Historic Dupont Circle Main Streets (HDCMS) has raised money to complete a tree box beautification program. Every merchant or property owner that purchases an iron tree box border will be reimbursed up to $200 by HDCMS. This is a wonderful opportunity to bring the beautiful aesthetic of your store or restaurant out onto the street.

Below are some frequently asked questions about tree boxes and the HDCMS program.

To have beautiful flowers, plants need water, sun, soil, and nutrients in the right combination. These Guidelines are designed to help you decide how to choose the right plants as well as understand the commitment that will be required for regular tree box maintenance.

What is a Tree Box?	A tree box is the unpaved area of public space that lies between the curb and the sidewalk, commonly reserved by the District Government for planting trees.
What are Tree Box Borders?	Borders are the iron sides of the tree box. For the safety of people exiting their cars, borders should not be placed on the curbside of the tree box. The height of the borders should be between 4 and 12 inches from the curb.
Who is Eligible?	All merchants and property owners located on the Connecticut Avenue and 17th Street commercial corridors are eligible for the program. P Street is not included due to the Streetscape improvements scheduled for later this year.
How do I get Started?	HDCMS has secured solicitations from multiple iron works purveyors with experience in tree box installation. You may contact the HDCMS Executive Director, Morgan Zehner, for more information. He can be reached at (202) 441-1474 or .
Is signage allowed on the iron tree box borders?	Yes, small plaques can be placed on the sides of the iron tree box borders describing who has donated the border.  However, HDCMS strongly suggests that only the corporate name, trading name or personal name of the tree box donor be placed on the border.
How do I get Financially Reimbursed?	When your tree box has been installed you can submit a copy of your final invoice to HDCMS. Upon the receipt of this invoice and a visual inspection, HDCMS will then write you a check!
Is there a Time Limit for the Program?	Yes, the program is open until October 1st. All tree box borders must be installed by then in order to receive reimbursement from HDCMS.
What Responsibility do I Have in Order to Maintain a Beautiful Tree Box?	Tree box beautification does not require a permit and must be undertaken solely by the abutting property owner or tenant. The tree box area will be under the immediate care and keeping of the abutting property owner or tenant.
What Plants Should I Use in a Tree Box?	Plant choice should be based on the design you are after and the location of the tree box: full sun or partial shade. New gardeners should choose low-maintenance flowering plants that do not stop blooming when the expired flowers are removed. Planting too much rather than too little will give the tree box a lush effect and create a sensational display. Included in these guidelines is a selection of time-tested plants for tree boxes. If you are particularly interested in plants native to the Mid-Atlantic Region, a bibliography is available in the HDCMS Office. Add approximately one bag of mulch to the tree box before planting and amend the soil with potting soil. Be careful to not pile mulch against the tree trunk and use plants that have a shallow root system. Lirope, Sedum, Dwarf Mondo Grass, Native Columbine, Day Lilies, Sweet Allysium, Small Bulbs and Chives are all good choices. Do not plant annuals which disturb the roots of the tree or any woody plants that fight for the same nutrients as the tree. Plants should grow no taller than 18 inches and do not let plants grow over the edge of the box or extend over the curb of the sidewalk.
How Much Water do the Plants Require?	Check the soil moisture before watering and do not water if the soil is damp. Water in the early morning or evening when temperatures are cool and less likely to evaporate. Be sure not to over water, this can lead to root rot. Sphagnum moss can be placed on the bare soil to help retain water and improve the appearance of the planting.

 

Recommended Plant List for Tree Boxes

Perennial Groundcovers

Perennial plants have big root systems that can compete with a new tree for water. Plant groundcovers only after the tree has lived in its pit for three or more years.

Creeping Phlow “Sherwood Blue’, Phlox stolonifera. Purple flowers April-June on spreading evergreen groundcover.

Liriope, Monkey Grass, Liriope spicata. Evergreen creeping grass. Blooms on small purple flower stalks in late spring, often followed by dark, shiny berries. Drought, traffic and pollution tolerant.

Sweet Woodruff, Galium odoratum. Grow about 6 inches high and flowers from May to July. The scented flowers and leaves can be harvested for tea. It prefers to grow in full shade or semi-shade and can tolerate air pollution.

Pachyssandra, Pachysandra terminalis. An evergreen low-growing shrub in flower from April to May. It requires well-drained soil and can tolerate drought. Shade-Loving Annuals

Annual plants are perfect companions to new trees less than three years old. Their root systems are small enough that they won’t compete with the tree for water. Annuals live only one year, and therefore must be replanted each spring.

Begonia, Begonia semperflorens. Red, pink, or white flowers. The 6- to 8- inch plants can grow in sun or shade and are drought tolerant. Some kinds have bronze leaves.

Sweet Alyssium, Lobularia maritimum. Low, broad spreading plants with white, pale pink or purple flowers. 3- inch tall plants flower from April through October. Sun or shade.

Coleus, Solenostemon scutellarioides. Coleus has large leaves in bright beautiful colors. It grows 12 to 18 inches tall. Plant will tolerate some sun, but do best in partial to full shades. Petunias

Sun-Loving Annuals

Plant 18 inches from the trunk of your tree only for the first two seasons after planting, when there is still plenty of sun reaching the edges of your tree pit.

Geranium, Pelargonium gortorum. 1-foot plants with read, pink, or white flowers. Remove spent flowers to keep plant blooming all summer.

Scarlet Salvia, Salvia splendens. Red (sometimes purple) flower spikes on 12- to 15- inch plants. Remove spent flower heads to keep plant blooming all summer.

Marigold, Tagetes spp. Long-flowering with yellow, orange, or multicolored flowers on 8- to 15- inch plants. Removing spent flower heads will keep plant blooming all summer. Spring Flowering Bulbs

Plant in the fall. In the spring, after the bulbs have flowered, DO NOT remove leaves until they turn yellow. Bulbs will not compete with the tree for water, as long as they are planted at least 18 inches away from the trunk. (Planting bulbs will require excavating to 4-6 inch depth. This may result in tree root damage)

Crocus, Crocus spp. Bloom in yellow, purple, and white in March. Plant corms 2-3 inches deep, 1-2 inches apart, in tight groups. Must be lifted and divided every 3 –4 years.

Glory-of-the-Snow, Chionodoxa foresii. Royal blue flowers with a white eye, 3-4 inches high. Does not need to be lifted and divided. Same planting directions as Crocus.

Daffodil, Narcissus spp. Popular favorite blooms in April. Plant 6 inches deep, 4-6 inches apart. Bulbs need to be lifted and divided every 3-4 years.

Tulip, Tulipa ssp. Popular favorite blooms in May. Plant 6 inches deep, 4-6 inches apart. Only species tulips flower after the firs year. If you plant hybrid tulips, you will need to replant them each year.

Thank you for making a VISIBLE DIFFERENCE!