In celebration of Arbor Day, the City of Greenbelt will be handing out native trees and shrubs to residents to plant in their yards. All species are native to Maryland, are acclimated to our climate and provide food and shelter for wildlife. The giveaway will be limited to 1 plant per household as supplies are limited. Greenbelt residents only, must show proof of residency. 

Available Species:

Serviceberry (Amelanchier canadensis) – Grows to 35-50’ with a width of 35-50’. Showy white flowers in spring that produce edible red berries. Has high wildlife value as a food source and host plant. Very attractive fall foliage. Does well in partial to full shade in moist to wet soils.

Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis) – Grows to 20-35’ with a width of 20-35’. A hardy species that produces beautiful pink flowers in early spring that give way to large heart shaped leaves. This nitrogen fixing tree produces legume seed pods in the fall. Does well in partial to full shade in dry to moist soils.

Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida) – Grows to 20-50’ with a width of 20-50’. Produces attractive white flowers in the spring giving way to red berries that are used by migrating birds in the fall. Produces scarlet-red fall foliage for additional landscape considerations. Does well in partial sun in dry to moist soils.

Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) – Growing to 15-30’ this small tree produces a unique floral display during the fall with yellow, crumpled looking flowers that can persist after leaf drop. Does well in dry to moist soils in partial to full shade.

Spicebush (Lindera bensoin) – Grows to 6.5-16’ tall. Displays delicate yellow flowers in spring and are followed by red berries. The aromatic leaves will turn yellow in the fall. A host plant for some butterfly and moth species. Does well in partial to full shade in moist to wet soils.

Swamp Azalea (Rhododendron viscosum) – Grows to 6.5-10’. After leafing, sweet scented white to pink tubular flowers will appear. Does well in full to partial sun in moist to wet soils. Prefers more acidic soils.

Southern Arrowwood Viburnum (Viburnum dentatum) – Grows to 10-15’. White flower clusters are followed by dark blue berries with a dark green foliage that turns yellow to red in the fall. Host plant for some butterfly and moth species. Does well in full sun to full shade in dry to wet soils.

Blackhaw Viburnum (Viburnum prunifolium) – Grows to 12-24’. White flower clusters produce yellow berries that turn bluish-black that are highly valued by wildlife and can be used to make preserves. Lush green foliage turns reddish-purple in the fall. Does well in full sun to full shade in dry to wet soils.

All tree facts listed above are from the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service “Native Plants for Wildlife Habitat and Conservation Landscaping: Chesapeake Bay Watershed.”  

How to Properly Plant a Tree: https://www.arborday.org/trees/planting/containerized.cfm

Registration for this event has closed. We thank everyone for participating in the Tree Giveaway!

For questions or more information contact Environmental Coordinator, Kevin Carpenter-Driscoll at kdriscoll@greenbeltmd.gov