Seedlings Available for Landowners to Plant Around Waterways

Property owners in Cecil County with streams, creeks or other types of wetlands on their land are eligible to receive a package of 25 tree seedlings through a new program designed to improve water quality, wildlife habitat and aesthetics in the Chesapeake Bay Area.

Known as the Backyard Buffers Program, it seeks to increase forested buffers and trees along bay tributaries on smaller properties.

For decades, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources - Forest Service has organized the planting of trees on larger properties as a way to establish forest buffer areas to prevent erosion, improve water quality and enhance wildlife habitat.

The Backyard Buffers Program seeks to fill this gap by giving seedling packets to landowners in what is being called a “buffer in a bag.” The package contains five each of five species of trees and shrubs:  river birch, sycamore, persimmon, red twig dogwood, and pin oak. Seedlings will be available for pick-up in April of 2017. Supply is limited.

Any one interested in reserving seedlings can contact Tom Frederick with the Maryland Forest Service, preferably by e-mail at tom.frederick@maryland.gov or by phone at 410-287-5777.