Thursday, March 26, 2026, 4:30 pm to dark
14909 Spring Meadows Drive, Darnestown, MD
Merikay is leading another native tree give-away this Thursday from her garden. She will have 450-500 bare-root native tree saplings (obtained from Maryland DNR). Any household can take up to 10 trees. They need to be planted ASAP (but are very easy to plant being small). Merikay can answer questions about tree planting and care.
As a practical matter, this event is best for people living not too far from Merikay. If you’re in DC or VA, you are likely to have access to native trees through other programs.
LDSES is going to have a tree-theme for this year, with special events planned including art, service projects, reflections on LDS theology relative to trees and more. So come grab a few trees for your garden (or to plant for someone else — with their permission of course).
Though requested, I will not be able to get serviceberry or spicebush from DNR. I’ll try for them again next year. The following is a list of the plants I will get along with basic info on each.
50-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.
50-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.
50-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.
50-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.
50-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.
50-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.
50-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.
50-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.
50-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.
50-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.