ANNAPOLIS, Md. – The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is offering free tree seedlings to landowners statewide who have a creek, drainage ditch, stream, or other waterway on or near their property through the Backyard Buffers program,
Each “buffer in a bag” includes 20-30 native tree and shrub bare-root seedlings, approximately 1 to 2 feet in height. Maryland Forest Service staff will also include information on tree maintenance and planting techniques.
A streamside buffer can create habitat for wildlife, reduce peak summer temperatures, and reduce the amount of sediment, fertilizer, and toxic materials that enter Maryland’s waterways. Deep-rooted trees and shrubs can also stabilize streambanks, protecting them from erosion…