Is your property in need of trees? Grab a “Buffer in a Bag” this Spring!
It’s part of the Backyard Buffer program to help homeowners add trees to their property and improve water quality for free. The program is designed to assist homeowners who have a stream or other waterway on or adjacent to their property to create a streamside buffer of native trees and shrubs. Having adequate buffers along our streams improves water quality, creates wildlife habitat, prevents erosion and shades the stream.
The Backyard Buffers program provides a free “buffer in a bag” to help get Maryland homeowners started in buffering their stream. The bag includes 20-30 native tree and shrub bare-root seedlings, approximately 1 to 2 feet in height, of various species that are well suited to streamside conditions. Also included in the “bag” are fact sheets on the tree species, tree planting techniques, proper tree maintenance, and additional information for those who wish to learn more.
The “Buffer in a Bag” program was launched by the Potomac Watershed Partnership, in cooperation with the Maryland DNR Forest Service.
Organizations interested in coordinating plant orders or for more information, please contact Phong Trieu (ptrieu@mwcog.org) or Aubin Maynard (amaynard@mwcog.org). Note that you must be a Maryland resident to be eligible.
I don’t have a stream on or adjacent to me; however, I do have a moist lawn. What exactly is in the bag? Could I purchase one, and if so, how much would it cost and where/how could I get it? I live in North Potomac, Md. Thank you for this wonderful program.
Thank you for the comment. Although the buffer in a bag might not be the program for you, we will be launching County based programs in 2015 to get trees planted on residential properties. I am forwarding your information to our forest conservation coordinator who will get back to you with further details. If you have any questions, email askdep@montgomerycountymd.gov.
I live near Poolesville on a 2 acre mostly open lot with no steamlets .but would love to participate, too. Please keep me informed re how I can participate in the county program. I can spend some money, but can’t afford to have a landscaper put in a dozen or so trees. Native/desired species preferred.
Cheers to the Buffer in a Bag program! We will get out the word!
Happy New Year to our County’s streams!
Caroline
Montgomery Countryside Alliance
Thanks!
what about getting trees planted that are not on residential properties but public land, near schools, libraries rec centers or just public land that has been hit by pepco butchers or just needs trees either replanted due to age and disease. I have tried to give this info via 311 but since it is not a residence they wont take the info and I can’t put in a request.
Is this program just for street trees or would it also be for yard trees?
Thank you for the comment. Following the launch of County based programs in 2015 to get trees planted on residential properties, we plan to expand our programs to include all the places you recommend, including public facilities, homeowners associations, places of worship, bus stops, and more. I am forwarding your information to our forest conservation coordinator who will get back to you with further details. If you have any questions, email askdep@montgomerycountymd.gov.
I belong to the Izaak Walton Chapter in Damascus and sit on the Conservation Committee. We have taken three areas under our wing and we plant trees and maintain them annually.
Rachel Carson Conservation Park
Pigtail Branch
Little Patuxent
Let me know if I could get some trees to plant on these watersheds. Our next planting is April 19th.
Sincerely,
Rodger Moran
Hi Rodger,
To inquire about trees, please send an email to askdep@montgomerycountymd.gov. We will then pass that information along to our Forest Conservation Coordinator. Thanks!