Marylanders Plant Trees provides Maryland residents with a $25 coupon toward the purchase of a native tree at participating nurseries statewide. The program has been offered since 2009 and is funded through a settlement with a major power generator for Clean Air Act violations, administered in partnership with the Maryland Office of the Attorney General.
Each coupon is valid for one native tree with a retail value of $50 or more. The program is limited to one tree per household per year and is intended for planting on private residential property. Organizations or community groups planting on public land should contact Tree-Mendous Maryland instead.
Only participating nurseries will honor the coupon. Confirm your nursery is on the current list before purchasing, and select a species from the recommended native tree list, which is the only list eligible for the coupon.
How It Works
- Print your coupon
- Find a participating nursery near you
- Select an eligible native tree and present your coupon at purchase
Choosing the Right Tree
Before selecting a species, consider the planting site carefully. Check the mature height and spread of any tree you're considering against your available space, the location of overhead and underground utilities, and the proximity of structures, driveways, and sidewalks at full maturity. The recommended tree list includes soil and sun requirements for each species — a tree planted in the wrong conditions will struggle regardless of how well it is cared for. Most tree failures in residential settings result from poor species-site matching or planting depth errors, not from neglect.
Soil drainage matters as much as sun exposure. Before planting, dig a test hole and fill it with water. If it hasn't drained within a few hours, the site has poor drainage and species selection should reflect that.
Spring and fall are the best planting seasons in Maryland. Cooler temperatures and seasonal rainfall help newly planted trees establish root systems before summer heat or winter cold stress sets in.
Planting and Early Care
Dig the planting hole two to three times as wide as the root ball but no deeper than the root ball itself. The root flare — where the trunk widens at the base — should sit at or slightly above grade. Backfill with native soil. Apply two to three inches of mulch in a ring around the base, keeping mulch away from direct contact with the trunk. Water thoroughly at planting and stake only if the site is exposed to strong wind, removing stakes after the first growing season.
Water deeply once or twice a week during the first growing season, more frequently during heat or drought. Do not fertilize in the first year — fertilizer encourages top growth before root systems are established, which stresses the tree. Newly planted trees typically require two to three years to fully establish.
Additional Programs
Landowners with a stream or waterway on or adjacent to their property may be eligible for assistance through the Backyard Buffers program, which supports the establishment of streamside buffers with native trees and shrubs.
If you don't have a suitable planting site, a Gift of Trees through Tree-Mendous Maryland supports native tree planting on public lands across the state and can be made in honor or memory of someone or for any occasion.
