Announcement

"Embracing native trees"

Tuesday, October 1, 2024

The following appeared in the fall 2024 Ocean Pines Report: https://www.oceanpines.org/web/pages/quarterly-newsletters

Fall is one of the best times of the year for planting trees in Maryland. If you plan to take advantage of the season to add shade and beauty to your landscape, consider adding trees native to our watershed.

Planting native trees and taking good care of them are key actions individual gardeners, and communities can take to limit the impacts of climate change and create beautiful, resilient yards and neighborhoods.

The benefits of trees in the landscape include:

Improved air quality: Trees act as natural air filters, removing harmful particles and gasses from the air and releasing oxygen.
Curbing climate change: Trees help to mitigate climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide during photosynthesis.
Conserving water: Trees help conserve water by retaining moisture and improving water quality.
Preventing erosion: Trees help prevent soil erosion through their structure, root systems, and foliage.
Creating wildlife habitats: Trees provide food and shelter for many species of birds, insects, and other wildlife.
Reducing noise: Trees can reduce noise pollution by as much as 40%.
Controlling temperature: Shade trees help cool streets and cities.
Moderating floods: Trees help prevent flooding by improving water drainage and stopping pollutants from entering water sources.

Ocean Pines property owners can take advantage of Maryland state programs that offer free saplings and discounts for trees purchased at participating retail outlets.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources offers free tree seedlings to landowners in Worcester County who have a creek, drainage ditch, stream or other waterway on or near their property through the Backyard Buffers program. Contact Kate Daub ([email protected]) for more information.

Marylanders Plant Trees coupons worth $25 off the purchase of one tree with a retail value of $50 or more can be used at participating retail nurseries and garden centers. The discount is taken at the register at the time of the sale. One coupon must be filled in for each tree purchased. Bluebird Farms (410-208-4475) on Racetrack Road is the only retail outlet in Worcester County participating in the tree coupon program. There are also two participating nurseries in Wicomico County: How Sweet it Is in Eden (410-742-8600) and Nichols Tree Farm in Hebron (443-523-2217).

The Marylanders Plant Trees Recommended Tree List can be found on the state’s Department of Natural Resources website (https://t.ly/HSP4b). The list identifies trees by size and includes the following popular species:

White oak
Flowering dogwood
Green hawthorn
Eastern redbud
Eastern red cedar
Blackgum
Bald cypress
Eastern white pine
Loblolly pine
Virginia pine
River birch
Serviceberry
Sweetbay magnolia
American elm
Eastern hemlock

Announcement

"Embracing native trees"

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