03/24/2026
Here's the list of free native trees/shrubs that will be available this Thursday. Each household can take up to 10 trees. Two locations: 14909 Spring Meadows Drive, Darnestown (4:30 pm) or Seneca State Park (5:30 pm). Both sites will have the same stock.
Pawpaw (Asimina triloba)
A shrub or small tree that tolerates shade, pawpaw produces a fruit that is readily eaten by wildlife and humans. It has a height 15 to 30 feet, a spread of 15 to 30 feet, and prefers full sun to part shade and moist fertile soils. Often spreads by root suckers to form colonies or thickets.
American hazelnut (Corylus americana)
This fast growing, nut producing, multi-stemmed shrub can reach heights of 8 to 15 feet with a spread usually slightly greater than the height. Hazelnut prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained loamy soil. Fruit matures in September, is edible, and benefits turkey, deer and other wildlife. This Maryland native displays a copper-red color in the fall.
American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana)
This native shrub quickly grows 5 to 8 feet tall and almost as wide with drooping branches. It prefers moist well drained soils and will tolerate light shade but is intolerant of deep shade. Clusters of purple berries that form on the stems in the fall are an important food source for more than forty species of songbirds.
Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis)
A deciduous shrub that grows only on wet sites, buttonbush is usually 3 to 12 feet tall with a spread of 4 to 8 feet. The seed is consumed by small birds and ducks. Buttonbush must be planted at the water's edge. Prefers full sun to partial shade.
Witch-Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana)
This slow growing shrub grows best in sun or partial shade, but will tolerate shadier conditions. It grows 20 to 30 feet tall and spreads 15 to 25 feet forming a multi-stemmed, shrubby, round, somewhat asymmetrical ball. It prefers to grow in light, moist soils, but tolerates some clay and some drought. It produces interesting yellow flowers mid to late fall.
Virginia pine (Pinus virginiana)
This scrubby North American native tree is most often found growing in the poorest sites and will easily adapt to most soil conditions, except alkaline soils. It prefers to be grown in full sun on well-drained, loamy soil. Capable of reaching up to 70 feet in height, Virginia Pine is more often seen from 20 to 40 feet in height with a 20 to 35-foot spread. Tolerant of a wide variety of soil types, this pine grows on soil too dry, rocky or clayey for most other plants, particularly pines, but prefers acidic pH. It is useful as a reclamation tree due to the ability to seed itself in and tolerance to poor, dry soil.
Southern red oak (Quercus falcata) – not powerline compatible
Grows 60 to 90 feet tall with a spread of 40 to 50 feet on moist, well drained soils. It is valued for timber, fuelwood, and wildlife food and cover. Commonly found in the eastern and southern parts of the state. Full sun but will tolerate some shade. Tolerates drought and air pollution. Reddish brown color in late fall.
Pin oak (Quercus palustris) – not powerline compatible
Typically reaches 70 to 90 feet tall, but can grow as high as 120 feet and spreads to 40 feet. Is fast growing for an oak. Leaves turn a deep scarlet red in the fall. This tree does best on wet, acidic, poorly drained sites, but gets out-competed by other species on better quality sites. Prefers full sun, but is partial shade tolerant in youth. Acorns eaten by various mammals.
White oak (Quercus alba)
White oak may grow 80 to 100 feet and is valued for timber, fuelwood and wildlife food and cover. It prefers moist well drained soils. Maryland native.
Southern Arrowwood (Viburnum dentatum)
A multi stemmed shrub, growing 6-10 feet tall and wide producing dark blue berries that attract many birds. This native is adaptable to many soil conditions from dry to fairly wet and prefers partial shade or full sun.
Seedling Storage and Care
Store your seedlings in a refrigerator (NOT a freezer) or a cold, dark place until you are ready to plant. Keep the roots moist. Do not put them in a bucket of water for more than 1 hour; this will kill most of them. Do not keep trees outside of cold storage for longer than 1 week. The sooner you plant them the better the odds of survival.
Keep seedlings covered and out of the wind and sun while planting. Keep the roots moist at all times, but do not put them in a bucket of water for more than 1 hour. If the roots dry out, your tree is now likely dead. This can happen in a matter of minutes.
