Plant a Tree For Cheap!

Tree Rodgers Forge would like to share a great opportunity to help rebuild the tree canopy here at home.  With tree prices reduced to $20 - $30, Baltimore County is doing its best to put tree planting within your budget.  If you're interested in a big tree for your yard, please note that applications must be in by Tuesday, October 8th!  Additional details below:  

Baltimore County's Department of Environmental Protection and Sustainability (EPS) is hosting its 8th bi-annual Big Trees Sale to encourage homeowners to plant trees in their yards.

 "Big native trees not only beautify your yard and neighborhood, their shade can reduce your energy costs, their roots help keep stormwater from running off into our waterways and their leaves help clean carbon from the atmosphere," said County Executive Kevin Kamenetz. 

Each spring and fall, the Big Trees Sale features a selection of native trees supplied by Baltimore County's reforestation nursery. Big Trees are Maryland native species such as oaks and maples that grow taller and cast shade over a wider area than do smaller trees such as dogwoods and flowering cherries. They need room to grow and take longer to mature, but they provide greater and longer-lasting benefits to homeowners when properly sited. Big Trees species generally outperform smaller ornamental tree species for providing environmental benefits, with a greater ability to soak up excess rainwater, save energy through shading, remove atmospheric carbon, and add to property values for single family homes.

To date, more than 300 citizens have planted nearly 1,700 big trees purchased though this program. This year's sale will take place on Saturday October 12 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Baltimore County Center for Maryland Agriculture and Farm Park located at 1114 Shawan Road in Cockeysville.  EPS is also offering Tree Shelter Kits to better protect the trees from deer browsing and buck rubbing.

Eleven different species are offered for the fall sale. Trees are mostly four to five feet, in three-gallon pots, and are offered for prices ranging from $20 to $30. The Big Trees website (www.baltimorecountymd.gov/bigtrees) has pictures and descriptions of each species to help residents find the right tree for their property.

 Trees must be ordered online using the online order form available online at: (www.baltimorecountymd.gov/Agencies/environment/forestsandtrees/bigtreesorder.html).

 For convenience, people who prefer to can pick up their trees early from the EPS nursery in Chase. EPS encourages people to order trees as soon as possible before species sell out.

Species Offered for the Fall Sale

• Black Oak
• Bur Oak
• Chestnut Oak
• Pin Oak
• Northern Red Oak
• Scarlet Oak
• Swamp White Oak
• River Birch
• Eastern Redbud
• Pawpaw
• White Oak