Gearing up for Fall Tree Planting Season

The first round of trees are ready and waiting.

The fall tree planting season is coming into view and we here at AWS are getting ready for it.  Now, we still have a little over a month and a half before weather conditions are just right, but the planning stages are already underway.

Earlier this spring, we submitted a proposal for the Constellation Energy EcoStar grant and were shortly thereafter awarded funds for the reforestation project.  Our main goal for this project is to engage at least 100 community volunteers in planting 225 native trees in Magruder Park and along streambanks within the Anacostia River Watershed to help reduce stormwater runoff, increase water infiltration into the ground, intercept pollutants and sediment, and create wildlife habitat.  In preparation for these plantings, AWS has already brought in 100 3’-5’ tall native trees from Sylva Native Nursery & Seed Company (see photos above and below).

Tulip Poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera)

Scarlet Oak (Quercus coccinea)

We are also planning on planting an additional 250 trees as part of an ongoing project funded by Maryland Department of Natural Resources.  If you or people you know are interested in helping us restore our natural lands by planting trees this fall, please check our calendar for these and other related volunteer events.