Baltimore County to celebrate Arbor Day with free tree giveaway

Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski recently announced that the county is offering free trees to residents in recognition of Arbor Day. Trees will be available on a first come-first served event on Sunday, April 28.

“Trees are critical infrastructure for our communities and for our environment, and every tree planted helps increase the County’s tree canopy, curtail stormwater runoff and erosion and reduce greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere,” Olszewski said.

“In addition to air quality benefits, trees provide food, protection and habitat for wildlife while increasing property values and beautifying neighborhoods.”

County Giving Away 1,200 Trees to Baltimore County Residents

The County’s Arbor Day weekend giveaway is open to Baltimore County residents only, and each household may order up to two free trees. Residents should preorder through the County website, and are encouraged to order early.

The Department of Environmental Protection and Sustainability (DEPS) is hosting curbside tree pickups of these preordered trees on Friday, April 26 and Saturday, April 27 in the parking lot of the Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum, with pre-scheduled times for residents who have ordered trees.

The County is offering the following species for pre-order, which as native Maryland trees are well suited for local soil types, require less watering than non-native trees and are naturally resistant to pests and diseases common to the area:

One hundred and fifty each of these species:

RedbudRed MapleScarlet OakServiceberryWhite Oak

Seventy-five of each of these species:

Black GumSycamore

Any pre-ordered trees that are not picked up as scheduled on Friday or Saturday will be offered to the public on Sunday. We are not able to reserve any remaining pre-ordered trees.

Sunday Option — First-come-first-served tree pick-up

In lieu of pre-ordering trees, residents may come to the Benjamin Banneker Museum parking lot between 9 a.m. and noon on Sunday, April 28 and select up to two trees. No reservations are necessary but supplies are limited.

Trees available for unscheduled pick-up on Sunday, April 28 include:

Fifty each of these species:

RedbudRed MapleScarlet OakServiceberryWhite Oak

Twenty-five each of these species:

Black GumSycamore

For questions or to cancel their order, residents may email forestmanagment@baltimorecountymd.gov, or call 410-887-1369.

Put Your Tree on the Map

County residents who plant trees themselves are invited to record the tree locations on the County’s Environmental Reporter Web Application, an online tool that enables the public to help the County track environmental data, including locations where people plant trees or install rain barrels.