Maryland offering free trees to resident on Lower Eastern Shore

Free trees for Lower Eastern Shore residents. Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources offering free seedlings to people in Worcester and Somerset Counties to help improve water quality throughout the lower shore. Landowners who have a drainage ditch, stream or other waters on or near their property can get the free trees through the Backyard Buffer program. You’ll get a pack of 25 8-10 inch tall seedlings or river birch, white oak, black locust and loblolly pines ready for planting in wet soil. Officials say the trees will absrob excess nutrients, reduce sediment, lower water temperatures and fight erosion along riverbanks.

Maryland Forest Service staff will provide information on tree maintenance and planting techniques, in addition to suggestions on other good native species at the time of pick up.

All tree requests must be received by March 23. Interested homeowners should contact Dakota Durcho by cellphone at 443-235-1634 or email to reserve their seedlings for an early April pick up.  Quantities are limited so reservations will be on a first-come, first-served basis.