Neighbors fight Alexandria plan to remove ancient oaks [Video]

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The fight to save three old trees in an Alexandria park is blowing up online, with thousands of neighbors joining the discussion on Nextdoor.

A dozen neighbors gathered in Eugene Simpson Stadium Park on Thursday to wrapping their arms around one of the willow oaks, which they say are as much as 157 years old.

Alexandria’s mayor says that’s a huge exaggeration. City staffers say historical photos show the area in the 1940s was largely open space, with an informal baseball field.

Del Ray neighbor Giselle McAuliffe sparked the rebellion to save the trees. She says she consulted an arborist and measured the trees. Using that method to calculate their ages, she says the youngest tree is at least 100 years old.

It took …