2025 Baltimore County Yard Tree Program
Every autumn, Blue Water Baltimore plants trees on residential property across northern Baltimore County through our cost-share yard tree program. We partner with volunteer Tree Stewards from different neighborhoods to promote the program within their communities. Now in it’s 10th year, the program has seen hundreds of trees planted, with a goal of at least 275 new trees this fall!
Current neighborhoods eligible for this program include: Anneslie, Campus Hills, Gaywood, Greenbrier, Harford Park, Idlewylde, Loch Hill, Lutherville, Rodgers Forge, Rosedale, Ruxton-Riderwood, Stoneleigh, Sudbrook, West Towson/Southland Hills, Wiltondale, and York Manor. At this time we unfortunately cannot support other neighborhoods, but please reach out to us at the contact information below if you’d like to know more about the neighborhood stewardship program.
Tree Selection
Our team works closely with the volunteer Neighborhood Tree Stewards to promote the program to their neighbors, and to help select appropriate species planting and sites. Please use them as a resource ,they’re more than happy to help!
While you may select your own tree(s), we encourage all residents to reach out to your local steward before ordering to have them assist with species selection and placement. Remember, “Right tree, right place” is key if you want to fully enjoy your new tree for decades to come! The tree look book below can help you select the right tree for your yard.
Where possible, we encourage homeowners to select large canopy shade trees rather than smaller understory trees. Small trees should be reserved for locations with limited height or space such as under power lines or in small yards. Canopy shade trees are long lived and provide many more benefits for you and future generations! Trees save money, cool down streets, reduce flooding, improve health, raise property values and provide habitat for our native butterflies and other wildlife. And they are beautiful!
Yard Tree: $75.00
Yard trees are in 3-7 gallon pots with 3/4″ caliper trunk and height of 5-8′ or more depending on their species. They can be planted anywhere on your private property: in your front, back or side yard, space permitting. Yard trees include any species on the list.
Street Tree: $125.00 or $150.00
Street trees are in 15-gallon pots with 1-1/5″ caliper trunk and are planted in the “public right of way” (the grass strip between the sidewalk and the street). Bigger trees are sturdier, which helps prevent damage by pedestrians and vehicles. The grass strip must be at least 4-ft wide to receive a tree. The street tree price varies by $25 depending on whether you are required by Baltimore County to install a root barrier. Root barriers are 2-ft x 8-ft hard plastic sheets that are buried in the ground to block roots from disturbing the sidewalk. If your grass strip is 8-ft wide or less, you must pay the additional $25 and install this root barrier yourself prior to BWB’s planting. To install the root barrier you are trenching 6″ wide by 8′ long and digging 2′ deep. This takes about 2 hours to complete if hand digging on your own. If your grass strip is greater than 8-ft wide, you do not need to purchase a root barrier, and your tree will cost $125. There is a shorter species list of approved street trees. Check out this helpful video on how to install a root barrier.
The price of the tree includes the tree planting, mulch application, and installation of tree stakes, tree tie and a mower guard.
ORDERS ARE NOW OPEN!
Please review the Tree Species Look Book below to determine the the best trees(s) for your yard. The look book contains pictures and a description of each species! PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL ORDERS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY SEPTEMBER 5TH 2025
Trees will be planted between October and November by BWB staff and volunteers. All volunteer opportunities will be posted to our events page with registration links as they are finalized, so please check our events page for updates! We would love to have you join us!
Fall 2025 Tree Species Look Book
Questions or Concerns?
Please contact trees@bluewaterbaltimore.org for more information about this program
Our Partners
Program funders include the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and Baltimore County Environmental Protection & Sustainability.