Published: October 25, 2009 09:52 pm      

Plant a tree

You can help create a greener future for Maryland

When Gov. Martin O’Malley visited Cumberland a year ago to help honor students from Cresaptown Elementary and Fort Hill High schools, the students planted trees as part of the city’s urban tree canopy program.

Cresaptown had been recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School, and Fort Hill science teacher Mac Sloan had established a native tree nursery and a solar energy project.

O’Malley had just established his own “Marylanders Plant Trees” program, and Marylanders around the state have responded by planting about 22,000 trees.

The goal is to plant 50,000 by next year in hopes of creating a greener and more sustainable future for future generations.

Fall is the best time for planting trees because new trees will have a chance to grow firm roots and become stronger and more resilient by the time it comes to grow new leaves next spring.

Cumberland has already begun working to expand its tree canopy, receiving a grant that was aimed at helping the city ensure that trees play an important part in its development.

To make it easier for everyone to plant trees, the governor’s office is offering $25 coupons for the purchase of native trees that would cost $50 or more at participating nurseries. Information on the program can be found at www.green.maryland.gov.

When those who plant trees register them, they become eligible to participate in monthly drawings for overnight stays at Rocky Gap Lodge & Golf Resort, yacht tours of the Chesapeake Bay, locally grown Christmas trees and state park passes.

Adding the tree to the interactive Web site also allows you to calculate the environmental benefits it will provide — better air quality and better water to drink. Like the trees themselves, those benefits will only grow over time.