The law may not have much bite though in a much-needed area of Virginia. According to this story in the Washington Post, “The bill takes effect July 1, but local jurisdictions can choose whether to follow it.”

Treeless neighborhoods having a lasting impact according to Virginia McGuire who lives in Northern Virginia-

“I keep getting upset with my kids when they try to climb a tree,” said McGuire, who is also chair of Leesburg’s Environmental Advisory Commission. She’s worried about the trees being hurt. “You can’t spare any.”

“This was a farm, and there weren’t a lot of trees here, but there were trees here,” she said. “And there’s just nothing left.”

Another sign with a leaf motif announced the development’s name: Oaklawn.