Free Trees?! Planting trees in Md & keeping them healthy…
Yes, you heard correctly. In case you haven’t been following this, Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley has set a goal for the state to plant 50,000 trees by the end of 2010. So far 21,112 trees have been planted for the project, which means there is still a lot of digging to do!
Planting Trees in MD
In case you need a reason to plant a tree in your yard here are a few: trees add beauty, they cool the air and provide shade which saves energy costs, they slow storm water runoff, they provide food and shelter to animals, they protect soil from erosion and replenish the nutrients, they offset greenhouse gases and absorb harmful pollutants in the air and water, and oh yeah, they provide the oxygen we breathe!
So to encourage tree planting in Maryland a $25 coupon is available from the the Marylanders Plant Trees program and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources towards the purchase of a native tree that costs $50 or more from participating nurseries.
If you plant a tree and register it, you are eligible for a monthly drawing to win an overnight stays at the Rocky Gap Resort, yacht tours of the Chesapeake Bay, locally-grown Christmas trees and Maryland State park passes.
Marylanders can also buy trees for themselves or others and have them planted for them through the Gift of Trees program, which is sponsored by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
If you live in Baltimore city you might even get a free tree through a program called Tree Baltimore, which is aimed at adding shade and beautifying city neighborhoods. The free trees are given to community groups and associations and the city’s Forestry Division plants approximately 1,000 street trees in the spring as well as the fall. The Forestry Division can be contacted to requests that the trees be planted in front of your property.
Happy Healthy Trees
Now that you want to plant a tree let’s get down to the nitty gritty. What is the difference between bare-root trees and those that are balled with burlap you ask?
Bare-root trees have their roots exposed and are not shipped with the soil around them. The soil is always very heavy and bare roots make it easier for transportation but the roots become very dry by the time you get the tree to where you want to plant it. If you get a bare-root tree you should soak the roots in water for a couple of hours before planting. This will re-hydrate the roots and gives you a better chance that the tree will live.
On the other hand, balled and burlaped plants may be heavy but their roots are healthier because of the soil that surrounds them. Once the tree is transported to it’s desired location make sure you remove the burlap bag from the roots before planting or the roots will strangle one another and the tree will die.
Once your tree is planted, inspect it yearly to make sure it’s in good condition. Like a car, a tree needs regular maintenance to keep it healthy and thriving. You should look for new leaves, twig growth and buds on your healthy tree and do not ignore signs of a sick tree such as: trunk decay, discolored or dead leaves, loose bark and deformed growth.
Good maintenance includes: pruning for good branch structure and to remove diseased or dead branches, mulching to discourage weeds and retain moisture as well as add nutrients that help the tree thrive, and watering if your tree doesn’t get approximately an inch of rain every 7 to 10 days.
Mulching is often done incorrectly as we have seen many people pile mulch high around their tree’s trunks. This can lead to an insect or disease in the tree and weaken it until it eventually dies.
So enjoy planting your new trees and make sure to take care of them so that they will add beauty and value to your home for years to come. If you need help with any of this give your local Year Round Tree Expert a call at 410-335-8675! Ask for Steve!!
*To receive your tree coupon go to www.trees.maryland.gov and click on the “Coupon for $25 Off the purchase of one tree” button in the bottom right corner of the web page.
Sources:
http://wtop.com/?sid=1650022&nid=47
http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/features/green/2009/10/now_is_the_time_to_plant_a_tre_1.html
http://www.examiner.com/x-5784-Laurel-Community-Volunteer-Examiner~y2009m10d25-Marylanders-Plant-Trees-program-one-year-old-and-still-growing
http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/features/green/2009/05/baltimore_is_endeavoring_to_do.html
http://features.csmonitor.com/gardening/2009/07/17/how-to-keep-your-trees-thriving/
http://www.trees.maryland.gov/
Peter said,
November 13, 2009 @ 7:17 am
Great site, any advice for winterizing a young tree? I’ve read that you should water it deeply before the frost and mulch it. I appreciate any advice.
Advice from A Year Round Tree Expert » December Tree News: said,
December 16, 2009 @ 11:48 am
[...] Local: Maryland’s State Highway Admin. has begun planting approximately 15,000 trees on the Eastern Shore. And don’t forget the prizes that Gov. Martin O’Malley is giving away for planting your own tree as part of the state’s Tree Initiative. [...]