Fall for a Tree – Harford Homeowners Given Discounts for Planting Trees this Fall

From Harford County government:

Fall is an ideal time to plant a tree; in fact many people think it’s the best time for tree planting! Homeowners can get $10 for every tree planted in their yards this fall through the Growing Home program. The $10 Growing Home tree coupon and information about selecting, planting and caring for trees is available at www.growinghome.info and in Growing Home brochures which are available at all libraries, recreation and parks facilities, and senior centers. More than four-dozen area garden centers and nurseries are accepting the $10 coupon on trees with at least a $25 price tag.

Why plant a tree in the fall? Since the weather is cooler, it is more enjoyable working outdoors and a tree planted in the fall benefits because the soil is able to retain moisture better than during the hot days of summer. Compared to spring, warmer soil temperatures in the fall stimulate new root growth on newly planted trees and trees aren’t busy making new leaves in the fall, so more energy goes right to the roots. Fall tree planting should be done usually by the end of October to mid November. Allow enough time before the ground freezes for your tree to grow some new roots to take up moisture.

The Growing Home Campaign is an innovative public-private partnership to increase the tree canopy in our region by offering homeowners comprehensive education about planting trees and a cash incentive. Growing Home partners include Baltimore County, Baltimore City, Harford County, local retail nurseries and garden centers, Honeywell Corporation, and the Chesapeake Bay Trust.

For more information call Harford County Bureau of Water Resources at 410-638-4109 ext. 1059.