Vienna residents angry, upset after WaWa killed several hundred year old maple trees
VIENNA, Va. — Neighbors are furious Wawa cut down three 100+ year-old maple trees that were not on the company’s property.
“They were lovely, big trees,” said Ingrida Lusis whose house backed up to the trees. “I was shocked. I was in tears. I walked outside and my barrier was gone, and my privacy was gone.”
Since the trees were chopped down last Thursday, some neighbors protested with signs in front of the site of the future Wawa, which just so happens to be along Maple Avenue W.
“You cannot replace 100-year old trees,” said Lusis.
The trees belonged to the Town of Vienna. Town officials said the unapproved removal was due to a misunderstanding between Wawa and the town.
Wawa provided ABC 7 the following statement: “While this was an unfortunate misunderstanding as we were operating with the guidance of the municipal arborist, right now we are 100% focused on rectifying the situation. This includes going above and beyond to address this and working hand in hand with the town and the neighbors to ultimately serve as an enhancement to the community.”
The Town of Vienna provided ABC 7 the following statement:
“Thursday last week, as a new WaWa site at 465 Maple Avenue W, was being prepared, 10 trees on the WaWa property we're removed, as approved by the site plan. In addition, three large maples located on Town property and NOT on the approved site plan also were removed as well as a few smaller and dead trees. The unapproved removal was due to a misunderstanding between WaWa and the Town. To address this error, WaWa has agreed to install 12 trees on Town property within the next couple of weeks. The trees will be as close to 6-inch caliper as possible. This is in addition to the 27 trees and more than 200 shrubs that are to be installed on WaWa property, per the approved site plan. I also wanted to mention that the Town of Vienna is committed to sustainability as well as being responsive to citizens. Vienna has been a Tree City USA for more than 15 years; has a very active, Council-appointed Conservation and Sustainability Commission; and the Town's recently renovated community center has achieved gold-level LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) while our planned new police station is being designed to achieve LEED silver level.”
