Backyard Buffer Program Offers Free Trees To Lower Shore Residents

The University of Maryland Extension is partnering with Maryland DNR Forest Service and the Wicomico and Dorchester County Forestry Boards to offer free trees in celebration of Maryland Arbor Day. Free trees will be given to all in attendance, but special tree packets will be given to landowners wishing to plant trees near water. The Backyard Buffers Program is designed to assist homeowners (with less than 5 acres of land) who have a stream or other waterway on or adjacent to their property to create a streamside buffer of native trees and shrubs.

The Backyard Buffers Program provides a free “buffer in a bag” to help get homeowners started in buffering their streamside. The buffer in a bag includes 20 native tree and scrub bare-root seedlings, approximately 1 to 2 feet in height, of various species that are well suited to streamside conditions.

The forestry Boards will be giving away trees to all in attendance, but Backyard Buffer trees will be reserved and distributed on a first come, first serve basis. The first 100 homeowners to register for each Lower Shore county will receive trees. Contact 410-228-1861 (Dorchester County) or 410-543-1950 (Wicomico County) to sign up.

Wicomico County Pick-up LocationDate: Saturday, April 6, 2013
Time: 10:00am to 12:00pm

Location: University of MD Extension Office, Nanticoke Rd., Salisbury