Frequently Asked Questions

We plant tree species that are native to the Baltimore region and are well adapted to urban growing conditions. We use a palette of city-approved trees and abide by the credo “right tree, right place”– meaning we select trees that are the best suited to the conditions of the surrounding planting area. 

We look for areas that are open and clear of street signs, lights, overhead utilities, or other hinderances that may affect the success of tree growth. Ideal planting locations include tree lawns, street tree pits that are 4×6′ or larger, and large parks or fields that can accommodate more share and tree benefits. 

Typically, no. Our planting days are subject to weather and crew availability, and are usually scheduled months in advance. We do hold volunteer events throughout the planting season t hat community members are invited to join and assist with planting day. Our website, newsletter, and social media accounts are the best place to find information about upcoming volunteer opportunities. 

We work diligently to garner community engagement and awareness through canvassing, door knocking, and attending community meetings whenever possible. A few weeks ahead of planting or concrete removal, our team of Neighborhood Foresters will door knock the specific addresses we intend to plant, and leave flyers with information on our upcoming work. 

Tree roots will only invade sewer lines that already have crakes due to their age– not tree roots. Root tips are not capable of drilling into an intact pipe. That said, a tree’s root system will grow in the direction of available nutrients and groundwater in the soil, which can lead to the invasion of water pipes when there is a pre-existing fracture or other damage that has caused potable water to leach into the ground. 

While we encourage and solicit suggestions during the outreach phase of any project, we cannot always guarantee a specific tree request will be met for trees planted in the public right-of-way. Considering availability and site constraints, our staff of ISA Certified Arborist and trained Neighborhood Foresters will ultimately make all decisions regarding species selection. 

We place a two year warranty on all trees planted by our Neighborhood Forestry teams. This covers staking, watering, mulching, and basic pruning of each tree we put in the ground. Our maintenance crews generally aim to revisit plantings that are under warranty at least once per month. After two years, Baltimore City Department of Recreation and Parks’ Forestry Division takes on maintenance of the city’s street trees. 

A newly planted tree requires about 1 inch of rain every two weeks– that’s about 20 gallons of water per week. If you would like to help water a neighborhood tree yourself, some residents like to reuse a 1 gallon milk jug or a hose connected to a household water spigot. If using a hose, turn the water pressure to medium-low and allow the water to seep into the ground a few inches from the base of the tree trunk for about 2 minutes. The trick to watering newly planted trees is to go slow and allow the water to penetrate deep into the soil where the tree’s roots are located. 

In a city, young trees need extra TLC to reach maturity. Weekly watering in the summer is key during extreme heat. Adding mulch or wood chips is also important to their survival. use natural, undid mulch and do not let it touch the trunk of the tree. If you build a fence or barrier around the tree bed, be sure to leave a gap underneath to make sure rainwater can still enter. 

We will replace any tree that has died due to natural causes within our two year warranty. If you notice a dead tree, or have questions about the health of a tree planted by Baltimore Tree Trust, you can let us know by sending a message to info@baltimoretreetrust.org. 

We work diligently to identify residents who do not want a tree during the pre-installation phase of any project. Once a tree has been planted, however, we are unable to accommodate removals except in rare extenuating occasions. If you would like to decline a tree before it has been planted, please complete our DECLINE A TREE FORM, contact us at info@baltimoretreetrust.org, or notify one of our Neighborhood Foresters before installation. 

The best way to contact us is at info@baltimoretreetrust.org. Please provide your name, address, and contact information, and a member of our team will get back to you within 24 hours.