Free Tree Seedlings Available for Carroll County Landowners

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is offering free tree seedlings to help improve water quality in Carroll County. Landowners who have a creek, drainage ditch, stream or other waterway on or near their property are eligible for free trees through the department’s Backyard Buffers program.

Requests for seedlings must be received by April 3. Interested property owners should contact Watershed Forester Jamie Weaver at 410-848-9290 to reserve their packets. Quantities are limited, so reservations will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis.

Trees planted along waterways help improve water quality by absorbing excess nutrients, lowering peak water temperatures, reducing sediment and stabilizing stream banks.

Each packet contains native bare-root tree seedlings suitable for planting in moist soil conditions. This year’s packet will consist of loblolly pine, all of which are 1-year-old and approximately 8 to 10 inches tall. Seedling packets will be available for pick up at the event, and Maryland Forest Service staff will provide information on tree maintenance and planting techniques, in addition to suggestions on other good native species at that time.