Ready to plant your own native trees? Board Director Merikay Smith is again coordinating the distribution of 300+ native tree seedlings from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. You are welcome to take up to 10 seedlings per person as part of this Muddy Branch and Seneca Creek watershed project on a first come, first served basis. Seven different species, including White Pine, Willow Oak, Eastern Redbud, Redosier Dogwoods and Southern Magnolias are available for pick up.
Please contact Merikay directly (See details below) or email the Muddy Branch Alliance to let us know you’re interested in picking up trees. Not in town, but still interested? Email us, and you’ll have first dibs on leftovers. Happy planting!
Pick Up Details
Friday, March 30th 9 -11 am, and
Saturday, March 31st 10 – 12 and 2 – 4 pm.
Please email Merikay Smith
Address for pick-up: 14909 Spring Meadows Drive
Home phone: 301-926-9774
Note: These small bare root seedlings are 1’ – 2’ tall, and should be planted as soon as possible after pickup. As long as the ground is not frozen, it’s a good time to plant the trees, as they’ll have more time to get established before summer heat arrives. Bring a bucket or plastic bags and newspaper to wrap the trees for transport.
50- Hazel Alder (Alnus serrulata)
A shrub to small tree, hazel alder grow in clumps in wet areas and along the banks of
ponds and rivers. It usually grows 10 to 20 feet tall. Full sun to light shade. Yellow and
orange fall color.
50-Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis)
Can grow 15 to 35 feet tall and spreads 15 to 25 feet. It is a member of the pea family
which means it adds nitrogen to the soil. The flowers are pink to reddish purple and
usually bloom mid to late April. Provides food for a variety of wildlife and insects.
Prefers moist, rich, well-drained soil in partial shade or full sun. Cannot tolerate
persistently wet sites (standing water).
50-Redosier dogwood (Cornus stolonifera) or (Cornus sericea)
Is a fast growing shrub, 10 to 20 feet tall and spread to10 feet, often forming dense
thickets. Prefers moderate to full sunlight. Prefers rich, moist, poorly drained soils.
Provides cover for birds and other small wildlife. Important food source for a variety of
mammals.
50- White pine (Pinus strobus) – not powerline compatible
This evergreen averages 80 to 100 feet tall at maturity and has a crown spread between
30 and 50 feet. It has a tall straight stem up to 4 feet in diameter with branches commonly
in whorls. This fast growing native prefers fertile well-drained soils and full sun, but
young trees will tolerate light shade.
50-Swamp white oak (Quercus bicolor) – not powerline compatible
A medium sized native tree averaging 50 to 80 feet tall and 50 to 60 feet wide, swamp
white oak tolerates poorly drained sites. It is drought tolerant, prefers part shade to full
sun, and has a copper to red color in the fall. The acorns are eaten by a wide variety of
wildlife.
50-Willow oak (Quercus phellos) – not powerline compatible
Willow oak grows to 100 feet tall with a crown width of 30 to 50 feet. This native has a
rapid growth rate, prefers moist, well-drained soils, full sun, and is drought and urban
tolerant. You can expect to see the leaves change to a yellow to bronzy-red color in the
fall. Its acorns provide a valuable food source for wildlife.
50-Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora)
A broad leaf evergreen that can reach between 60 and 80 feet. They grow in various soil
types and do well in full sun or partial shade. They produce large white fragrant flowers
in spring.
