By Ally Lanasa, Staff Writer

(March 25, 2021) The town of Berlin is working through the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ Backyard Buffers program to offer free tree seedlings to county landowners, who have a creek, drainage ditch, stream or other waterway on or near their property.

The Backyard Buffers program started as a pilot in Frederick County in 2005, then expanded beyond the state’s western region in 2011, said Dr. Anne Hairston-Strang, associate director of Maryland Forest Service in the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

The program is offered once a year in the spring when seedlings are available from the John S. Ayton State Tree Nursery outside of Preston, Maryland.

“Staff and partners take the larger bundles from the nursery and make smaller packets with a diversity of species, usually four or five trees of five different species, great for planting a small area,” Hairston-Strang said. “The foresters pick trees that will grow well near water.”

Mary Bohlen

Deputy Town Administrator Mary Bohlen said Berlin first participated in the program two years ago.

“In 2019 we had reservations for and gave away 85 bundles,” she said.

The 2020 event was canceled because of the covid-19 pandemic, Bohlen added.

Trees and shrubs planted along waterways help improve water quality by absorbing excess nutrients, lowering peak water temperatures, reducing sediment and stabilizing stream banks.

“A streamside buffer can create habitat for wildlife, reduce peak winter temperatures, and reduce the amount of sediment, fertilizer and toxic materials that enter our waterways,” Hairston-Strang added. “Deep-rooted trees and shrubs can also stabilize streambanks, protecting them from erosion.”

Each “buffer in a bag” contains approximately 25 native bare-root tree and shrub seedlings with species appropriate to the region.

Maryland Forest Service staff will provide information on tree maintenance and planting techniques, in addition to suggestions of other suitable native species at the time of pickup.

Quantities are limited so reservations will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis. Deadline to order in Worcester County is April 16. Pickup will be on April 17 at Town Hall, 10 William St. Pickup times are to be determined.

“Berlin is happy to act as host for Worcester County,” Bohlen said. “The program is in keeping with Berlin’s sustainability efforts.”

To reserve seedlings, contact Bohlen at 410-641-4314 or mbohlen@berlinmd.gov.

Worcester County residents must provide the address where the trees will be planted.

Residents in need of more than a couple dozen trees to plant are advised to contact Rob Clarke, the Worcester County forester, to learn about other assistance available for tree planting.