Chapter 3 Planting and Maintaining New Trees
Choosing the Right Tree When you want to plant a new tree on your property, making the right choice is important for several reasons. First, consider a native tree species. A broad definition of “native” when referring to vegetation is “any plant that historically grew in North America.” ix Trees that grow well in Montgomery County could be species that have adapted to conditions throughout the Mid-Atlantic, Piedmont or Southeastern regions of North America. Natives generally will grow better than a nonnative tree that is incompatible with local topography, water, terrain, and climate. Over time, various tree species might also adjust or evolve to deal with climate change. Therefore, the authoritative lists x of native species may change over time. xi There are over 60 species of native trees in Maryland. A list of native trees is available on the Maryland Natural Resources website and in the online resources that accompany this guide. Many local nurseries also sell only native trees. Think about where you want to plant a tree and what you want in terms of aesthetics or purpose of planting in that spot. Are you looking for shade? Do you want to provide a complement to your landscaping design? Do you want a good habitat for birds and wildlife? Are you looking for a tree that will grow fast or be low in maintenance? The Maryland native tree list and some of the resources in this guide will answer a lot of these questions. For another reference, the local Reforest Montgomery program has a list of native trees on its website. Options in Montgomery County government and nonprofit organizations with experts who can help you choose the right tree. Whether you have a young tree or mature trees on your property, you can request a Home Tree Care 101 class for your community and learn how to maintain your trees. Tree Montgomery is a program set up to plant free shade trees across Montgomery County, Maryland. The program’s goal is to plant shade trees and increase tree canopy in our communities. Tree Montgomery staff will work closely with you to choose locations and species to plant on your property. Then they will plant shade trees for you and help with initial care of your new trees, all for free. Tree Montgomery accepts applications year-round, works with residents for up to a year and prioritizes areas based on equity, stream quality, development activity and lack of existing canopy. Reforest Montgomery’s free tree program aims to increase tree canopy in urban areas of Montgomery County. Properties in Montgomery County’s priority funding areas are eligible to apply for free trees from Reforest Montgomery, and applications from the county’s Equity Focus Areas identified by the In Montgomery County, we’re fortunate to have programs to assist residents in getting trees planted on their property at no or little cost. Programs like Tree Montgomery, the MCDOT Street Tree program, and Reforest Montgomery are managed by county government, state
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