Program designed to plant trees throughout Montgomery County offers free and discounted trees to residents
Silver Spring, MD – The Montgomery County Planning Department, part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), is launching its Reforest Montgomery initiative that aims to plant trees throughout Montgomery County. Reforest Montgomery, which is supported by the Montgomery County Forest Conservation Fund, was developed to coordinate reforestation programs for county parkland and the county’s Agricultural Reserve. The program also offers property owners a variety of incentives to plant trees on their properties such as free shade trees for urban areas and discounts on native trees.
“We want to make it easier for our county’s residents to be able to plant trees in their communities,” said Kristin Taddei, who was hired by Montgomery Planning last August to manage the initiative. “The areas of Montgomery County where people live and work only have 36 percent of the county’s tree canopy, so it is important that we continue to plant trees and engage in reforestation programs so residents can experience a healthy environment on a daily basis.”
In addition, property owners with a M-NCPPC-held forest conservation easement in the Sligo Creek and Little Falls watersheds can apply for free tree plantings. Learn more and see if your property is eligible.
Reforest Montgomery Participation Options
Below are the options and benefits from each program in the Reforest Montgomery initiative:
Discount on Native Trees: Through Reforest Montgomery, property owners are eligible to receive a $40 discount on any qualifying tree with a retail value of at least $75 from one of the participating nurseries or garden centers. Adapted to the unique environmental conditions of Montgomery County, these native trees may need less maintenance and offer a high-quality habitat that supports pollinators and other local wildlife. Download the coupon and learn more.
Montgomery Planning invites interested nurseries and garden centers to participate in this program. Contact the administrator of the program to learn more.
Free Shade Trees: Properties in Montgomery County’s priority funding areas are eligible to receive free shade trees. This program aims to increase tree canopy in urban and urbanizing areas of Montgomery County. Learn more and view your eligibility.
Parks Reforestation Programs: Since 2008, the Montgomery County Department of Parks and the Montgomery County Planning Department have collaborated to reforest more than 50 acres of parkland to improve water quality and habitat. Learn more about these ongoing projects. Take a virtual tour of these park reforestation efforts.
Reforest Conservation Easements: : If your M-NCPPC held forest conservation easement in either the Sligo Creek or Little Falls watershed is not fully forested, you may be eligible for a free reforestation project. Learn more.
Re-leaf the Reserve: Own property in Montgomery County’s Agricultural Reserve and are interested in reforesting a portion of that property? You can apply for a free reforestation project through Re-Leaf the Reserve, a partnership with Montgomery Countryside Alliance.
Contact project manager Kristin Taddei via email or phone at 301-495-4597 with questions or comments.