Free Tree Giveaway Signup Starts Sept. 7 For Howard County Homeowners

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — Another round of Howard County’s annual native tree giveaway will kick off with signups starting Sept 7. Residents are limited to one free tree per household.

“Recognizing the success of our tree giveaway program since 2019, this year we are pleased to be able to offer a record number trees for our residents,” Howard County Executive Calvin Ball said. “Since 2018, we have planted over 60,000 trees in our community. This year, through our efforts to give away 3,000 trees, we are bringing our grand giveaway total since the program launched in 2019 to 9,225 trees, allowing more residents to play a part in increasing our county’s tree canopy. By continuing to plant thousands of trees each year, we are using one of the most effective tools to protect our environment while improving our community’s health and beauty.”

Residents will have nine tree species from which to choose: Black Gum, Red Maple, Flowering Dogwood, Eastern Redbud, Hornbeam, River Birch, Common Persimmon, White Oak and Sweetbay Magnolia. Each tree is native to Maryland.

Pickup dates are Sept. 21 from 4 to 7 p.m., Sept. 22 from 4 to 7 p.m. and Sept. 24 from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Each of these days will have two locations running simultaneously - one at West Friendship Park (12985 Frederick Road, West Friendship) and another at Rockburn Branch Park – West (6105 Rockburn Branch Park Road, Elkridge). All trees come in a five-gallon container and are anywhere from 3 to 10 feet tall, depending on the species.

To access the registration and for details about the pickup locations, visit www.howardcountymd.gov/park-rangers#forestry and click on the “Annual Tree Giveaway” tab.