Parks and Trees

  • Tree Planting (Public Property)
    Each year the Town plants approximately 80 street trees. If you would like a street tree planted next to your property, send a request to the Town Office. The Tree Committee will review the list of requests in the summer for the upcoming fall and spring plantings. Once the trees are planted, the Town will care for the trees for the first year by ensuring that they are watered.

    In November 2007, the Town Council approved a policy, recommended by the Environment Committee, that gives the Town the sole authority to decide whether and what type of tree to plant in any public space, right-of-way, or other public property.  However, the Town will solicit the affected homeowner for his or her preferences as to the species of the tree and may take those preferences into account.

  • Native Canopy Tree Planting Program
    In July 2009, the Town Council approved a Native Canopy Tree Planting Program to provide a limited number of canopy trees to residents for planting on their private property.  The program, proposed by the Town’s Environment Committee, aims to enhance the Town’s tree canopy and will benefit the entire Town over time by providing shade, runoff control, carbon dioxide absorption, and energy savings.  This year, the Town Council has budgeted for 30 trees to be planted on private property.  This is in addition to the 100 or more trees that are planted each year on public property.

    Under the new program, trees are available on a first--come, first-served basis to requesting residents. The Town arborist will visit each resident, in the order of request, to evaluate whether there is an appropriate location on the property for a new canopy tree and to recommend a suitable species. Five to six species of canopy trees are available through the program, some of which may be planted only in the spring or fall months.  The Town will buy the trees, pay for the service to plant them, and provide a water bag to assist residents with the care needed in the critical first year after planting. Residents will be responsible for the long-term care of the tree(s) once planted.

    Residents are encouraged to submit their tree requests early, as there is limited availability.  A request form is available here.  For more information about the program, contact the Town Office at 301-654-7144.

  • Tree Maintenance
    The Town is responsible for maintaining each of the 2000 street trees that are located in the Town right-of-way.  The Town's arborist evaluates each tree every few weeks during the growing season. Based on his findings, work orders are created for both tree care and pest management. The work orders that involve tree care are given to the Town's tree maintenance contractor who is responsible for removing any deadwood, co-dominate leaders, sprouts, crossing branches, or damaged branches in the trees, as assigned by the Town?s arborist. The Town does a small amount of pesticide spraying if a tree has mites or another insect that is invading the tree. When the Town is forced to spray, it uses a dormant horticultural oil that does not have any short or long-term affects on either the tree or nearby residents. If you have a tree that is located in the Town right-of-way and would like it to be examined, please send a request to the Town Office. The Town's arborist will examine the tree and issue a work order if appropriate.

  • Park Maintenance
    The Town is responsible for maintenance of the Town's four small parks. The Town's maintenance crews prepare the flower beds each season and are responsible for leaf removal and weeding.  A contractor mows the turf during the growing season. Town crews also are responsible for taking care of the Town's entryway plantings.