Department Donates 625 Trees to Allegany County

Gift of Trees Program Helps Beautify Communities

In celebration of Maryland Arbor Day, forestry staff, Conservation Corps members and Allegany College Students planted 29 trees in Flintstone on April 5, 2016.

In one of the largest projects in Gift of Trees history, the Maryland Forest Service donated 625 trees to school and community groups for planting on 13 public properties throughout Allegany County.

“We reached out to communities across the region to see if they wanted assistance in greening their public spaces. The response was just overwhelming,” Project Forester Dan Hedderick said. “It was wonderful to see so many schools and parks commit to planting trees for the greater good, especially as we prepare for Arbor Day in April.”

The containerized trees were paid for through donations to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ Gift of Trees program and will be planted with assistance from the forestry experts. The recipient sites are:  Allegany College with 200 trees; Allegany Fairgrounds with 56 trees; Beall Elementary School with 40 trees; Canal Place with 20, Flintstone Elementary School with 25; Frostburg City Park with 25, Frostburg Elementary School with 12; Frostburg Great Allegheny Passage Trail with 70, Frostburg State University with 30, Rocky Gap State Park with 100, Veterans Cemetery with six; and Washington Middle School with 12 trees.

The trees will serve as a welcome addition for area neighborhoods, protecting air and water quality, reducing soil erosion, creating wildlife habitat, reducing energy costs and beautifying shared spaces. One large tree can eliminate 5,000 gallons of polluted runoff each year, and well-placed trees can reduce energy costs by 15 to 35 percent.

“We encourage anyone looking for a unique way to celebrate a special occasion or honor a loved one to take part in the Gift of Trees program,” Tree-Mendous Director Anne Gilbert said. “One purchase actually provides for three gifts ─ one to someone you care for, one to the environment and one to future generations.”

To meet the Chesapeake Bay restoration goals, Allegany County aims to plant 20 acres of trees per year, a goal which they are on track to double by this year.

“Allegany County is very pleased to continue our partnership with the Maryland Forest Service in planting trees,” Allegany County Land Use and Planning Engineer Angie Patterson said. “These plantings over the past four years have helped the county meet restoration requirements while making a positive investment in our community.”

To learn more about the Gift of Trees program, please visit: http://shopdnr.com/giftoftrees.aspx.