The Importance of Old-Growth Trees in Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, and Norfolk and How to Care for Them

In the fast-growing cities of Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, and Norfolk, it’s easy to focus on new developments and updated landscapes. But tucked among all the progress are living treasures: old-growth trees that quietly support the health of our environment, communities, and local ecosystems.

Why Old-Growth Trees Matter

1. Wildlife Habitat
Old trees provide food, shelter, and nesting sites for countless species. In Southeastern Virginia, they support everything from owls and woodpeckers to fox squirrels and native pollinators like bees and butterflies.

2. Environmental Stability
With deep root systems, old trees stabilize soil and help prevent erosion. This is especially important in our flood-prone coastal region. They also filter rainwater and help replenish groundwater, improving local water quality.

3. Climate Moderation
Old-growth trees store more carbon than younger ones, helping to reduce greenhouse gases. Their broad canopies provide shade that cools urban areas, easing the heat island effect that raises summer temperatures in Norfolk and Virginia Beach.

4. Heritage and Culture
These trees connect us to the history of our region. They have stood through centuries of storms, wars, and community growth, acting as silent witnesses to our shared story. Protecting them means preserving a living link to the past while also protecting our future.

How to Maintain Your Landscape with Old-Growth Trees

Caring for old trees means understanding their unique needs and allowing nature to support them.

1. Limit Soil Disturbance
Avoid construction, heavy equipment, or frequent foot traffic near mature trees. Their root systems form delicate relationships with fungi that help absorb nutrients and maintain stability. Even thick layers of mulch can cause harm if placed too close to the trunk.

2. Embrace Natural Debris
Dead limbs and fallen leaves are part of a healthy ecosystem. While safety may require some pruning in neighborhoods like Chesapeake, leaving natural materials when possible helps nourish insects, birds, and soil.

3. Remove Invasive Ivy
Ivy may look picturesque, but it can seriously weaken trees by trapping moisture, adding weight, and blocking sunlight. Removing vines helps your tree thrive and can even improve your home’s appearance and property value.

Habitats and Species That Depend on Old Trees in Coastal Virginia

Old-growth trees support a wide variety of local wildlife:

  • Eastern Screech Owls and Barred Owls

  • Pileated Woodpeckers

  • Bats

  • Fox and Gray Squirrels

  • Monarch Butterflies

  • Native bees and beetles

These relationships form ecosystems that have existed for centuries. I personally have an old growth tree in my yard that is home to bats! Many people would question why would I like bats that is not something people would brag about? Well it should be! A single bat can consume up to 1,000 mosquitoes in an hour! What is not to love!?

Celebrate Our Natural Heritage with the Notable Tree Program

If you have an old-growth tree on your property or know of one in your neighborhood, consider submitting it to the Notable Tree Program in partnership with Lynnhaven River NOW. This initiative identifies, documents, and celebrates Southeastern Virginia’s most remarkable trees based on size, age, rarity, or cultural value.

Notable trees are living monuments and survivors of our coastal forests. This program gives them the recognition they deserve and encourages others to help preserve them.

Want to know if your tree qualifies?
Start by learning how to measure your tree properly. You can find the guidelines and submission details here.

Protecting old-growth trees protects our environment, strengthens our communities, and helps us stay connected to the natural and cultural history of Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, and Norfolk. These trees are not just part of the landscape. They are living legacies.