Maryland DNR Offers Free Tree Seedlings to Protect Waterways

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is offering free tree seedlings to landowners across the state through its Backyard Buffers program. The initiative is available to residents who have a creek, stream, drainage ditch, or other waterway on or near their property and aims to improve water quality while supporting local wildlife.

Each “buffer in a bag” includes between 20 and 30 native tree and shrub bare-root seedlings, measuring approximately one to two feet tall. The packets also include planting and maintenance information provided by Maryland Forest Service staff to help ensure successful growth.

Planting trees and shrubs along waterways—known as streamside buffers—offers a range of environmental benefits. Buffers provide habitat for wildlife, help lower peak summer water temperatures, and reduce the amount of sediment, fertilizer, and pollutants that enter nearby waterways. Deep-rooted vegetation also stabilizes streambanks, helping to prevent erosion.

Reservations for Backyard Buffer packets are typically accepted through March, with pickup scheduled at designated local sites in time for spring planting. Supplies are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Order deadlines, pickup locations, and partner organizations vary by county, and residents can find county-specific contact information on the DNR website.

The Backyard Buffers program supports Maryland’s broader goal of planting five million trees by 2031. Residents can register their tree plantings online to contribute to the effort. Additional ways to participate include a DNR incentive program offering a $25 coupon toward the purchase of a tree from participating nurseries, as well as donations through the Gift of Trees program.

For more information about planting trees on a specific property, individuals may contact Isaac Whitmore, DNR’s 5 Million Trees program coordinator, at isaac.whitmore@maryland.gov.