Tree Planting

In this issue: Read about the transitions in woodlands from autumn to winter, and the benefits of leaving leaves where they fall. There's also news about a new milestone for the Healthy Forests Healthy Waters program. Our "Native Trees of Maryland" looks at the Dwarf Chinquapin Oak, and "Invasives in Your Woodlands" looks at the Goldenrain Tree. And don't forget the events calendar and the Brain Tickler challenge.

The Healthy Forests Healthy Waters program (HFHW), a collaborative reforestation initiative between the Alliance, the Maryland Forest Service, the Maryland Forestry Foundation, and landowners throughout Maryland, has planted its 2,000th acre of forest in Maryland! Read about two HFHW projects, at Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary and the former Wakefield Valley Golf Course.

As the famous pallet of fall colors begin to fade, Maryland's forests undergo an important transformation into the winter season.

Are you a small-acreage property owner who wants to learn how to care for or how to expand existing woodlands, or how to convert lawn space to woodlands? Then join us for our self-directed, non-credit online course. It runs for ten weeks, from September 8 to November 17.

Without a doubt, Maryland’s woodlands face an increasing number of challenges. But it is also important to recognize the good news among the less-than-good.

Back issues of the Branching Out newsletter can be found on this page.

In this issue: Check in on AI and its capacity to provide accurate and specific advice. Register for the spring session of our "The Woods in Your Backyard" course. Learn about a new national refuge in southern Maryland and about one couple's work on their natural areas. Read about Sugar Maple in our "Native Trees of Maryland" feature and about incised fumewort in our "Invasives in Your Woodland" feature. And more!

Registration is now open for the Spring 2025 session of “The Woods in Your Backyard” online course. Our course is designed primarily for small-acreage property owners who want to learn how to care for or expand existing woodlands, or to convert lawn space to woodlands.

In the News and Notes roundup for this issue: The tree nurseries in Maryland & Virginia are now taking orders for spring planting projects; the Old Growth Forest Network has a new site; the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation has new species on its invasives roster; and the growth of food forests may help both ecosystems and people.

In this issue: Read about the how new and old can make a positive mix, and the importance of conserving existing forest buffers. Our two popular online courses return for the fall. Our "Native Trees of Maryland" looks at the red maple, and "Invasives in Your Woodlands" looks at Japanese hop. And don't forget the events calendar and the Brain Tickler challenge.