So, you’re interested in free shade trees! Tree Montgomery works hard to provide free shade trees through a streamlined process.
Check out the steps below to learn how the program works.
STEP 1 – Sign up for Tree Montgomery
Sign up for the Tree Montgomery Program on the Request a Tree Webpage. Once you submit an application, you’ll receive a confirmation email from Tree Montgomery.
Please note:
- Street trees or roadside trees are managed by a different County program. Please contact the Street Tree Maintenance Program by contacting MC311 to request a new street tree.
- Tree Montgomery plants large shade trees, not ornamental trees. If you prefer an ornamental tree or prefer not to join the waiting list, learn more about how to plant your own trees on the Planting Trees page. Also visit Other Planting Programs to learn about other planting programs and coupons.
- Properties within the Cities of Rockville and Gaithersburg are not eligible for Tree Montgomery, but visit the Other Planting Programs page for programs to assist residents on both cities.
STEP 2 – Wait Times and Getting Started
Tree Montgomery accepts and processes applications year-round. Tree plantings only occur during the winter months.
After applying, you will receive an email from Tree Montgomery within six to twelve months. Please reply to this email to confirm your interest in the program.
*Add Trees@montgomerycountymd.gov and DEP-TreeMontgomery@app.montgomerycountymd.gov to your ‘Safe Sender’ list so you don’t miss any emails.
STEP 3 – Developing Your Planting Plan
After confirming your interest in the program in Step 2, Tree Montgomery will send you another email containing a link to a map of your property. Follow the directions on the map to indicate where you’d like your new trees planted and your preferred tree species. Ideal spots for shade trees include areas near doors and sun-exposed decks, patios, or spots prone to erosion from rainfall. For more details on where to plant your tree visit Planting Trees.
Email the map back to your Tree Montgomery expert. If you need assistance choosing locations and species, our tree experts are happy to help! For more information on available tree species, visit Tree Profiles.
If you’re unable to mark the map, please reply to this email. Tree Montgomery is here to assist you with every step!
STEP 4 – Talking Through the Details with a Tree Montgomery Expert
Next, a tree expert with the program will contact you by phone. During the phone conversation, which usually lasts about twenty minutes, the tree expert will review the planting plan and answer any questions or concerns that you may have.
STEP 5 – A Site Visit to Confirm Growing Conditions
Then, the Tree Montgomery expert will visit your property to confirm the tree planting plan. You don’t need to be at home for this visit. The tree expert will follow-up with you to discuss any updates or revisions to your planting plan.
STEP 6 – Signing the Property Access Agreement and Tree Planting Plan
Once you and the Tree Montgomery expert are both comfortable with the planting plan, you will receive an email with a link to a Right of Access agreement. This agreement includes a map of your property with the planting locations and tree species. If any adjustments are necessary, just reply to this email before signing.
The agreement includes an expiration date. At times, corrections and replacements are needed, therefore 30 months is recommended to help ensure a well-established tree. You will be notified before we access your property.
After the details are correct, complete the access agreement by checking the box, signing electronically, and clicking the submit button. You will receive the final copies with all signatures via email within a month.
Here is a Sample Access Agreement.
STEP 7 – When Will Your Shade Trees Be Planted?
After you sign and submit your access agreement in Step 6, Tree Montgomery will arrange to plant your shade trees. We plant between November and April each year. If you are receiving several trees, they may be planted on different days or even months apart. The planting schedule of individual trees depends on the species, location in the County, and weather conditions. All trees included in your access agreement will be installed.
You will receive emails from Tree Montgomery and the county-approved planting contractor with information about what to expect and the planting schedule.
*Add these three email addresses to your ‘Safe Sender’ list so you don’t miss any emails:
- Trees@montgomerycountymd.gov
- DEP-TreeMontgomery@app.montgomerycountymd.gov
- treemontgomery@dadunlevy.com
STEP 8 – Marking Locations for Your Trees
Your trees are arriving soon! You will receive several emails about the upcoming planting.
- The first email is from Tree Montgomery with detailed information. Read this email and keep it for future reference.
- The county-approved contractor, D. A. Dunlevy, will then email you with a tentative schedule for marking and planting. If you have not received any emails, then add treemontgomery@dadunlevy.com to your contacts or safe-sender list and check your spam folder.
- If you want to mark your exact tree locations, then do so as soon as you receive the email from D. A. Dunlevy. CLEARLY mark the location with a flagged stick or stake within 10 ft of the location on your signed access agreement AND 5 ft from property lines.
- Tree Montgomery will contact Miss Utility to mark underground utilities on your property in several colors. You may see red, yellow, and orange lines painted on your grass.
- D. A. Dunlevy will mark the exact location to install each tree with blue paint and numbers directly on the grass.
- If you want to adjust the marked locations, CLEARLY mark the location with a flagged stick or stake within 10 ft of the location on your signed access agreement AND 5 ft from property and utility lines. If you make any adjustments to your marked location(s), respond to treemontgomery@dadunlevy.com with photos of the new location(s).
- If adjustments to exact locations are necessary for clearance from underground utilities, we may have adjusted your tree locations slightly. If the utility conflict requires a significant tree adjustment, we will contact you.
STEP 9 – Installing Your New Shade Trees
Prior to planting day, the county-approved contractor, D. A. Dunlevy, will send you an email confirming the specific date and a four-hour time frame for the arrival of the planting crew. Unlock any gates and secure any pets to help ensure everyone’s safety. You do not need to be home during this time.
If you are receiving multiple trees, they may be planted on different days, or even months apart. The planting schedule depends on weather, species, and location in the County.
During the planting process, the planting crew will use hand tools, small carts, and tarps. They will edge and mulch the planting locations and clean up any resulting debris. Except for your new trees, you shouldn’t see any significant changes to your property.
STEP 10 – Follow-up Inspections and Corrections by Tree Montgomery
After the trees have been planted, a Tree Montgomery expert or an approved contractor will inspect your new trees to make sure they are thriving and installed correctly. If there are any corrections or additional work required, you will receive an email with a date for the return visit.
Once Tree Montgomery is confident that your new trees meet high quality standards, they are officially yours to enjoy!
STEP 11 – Caring for Your Shade Trees
Newly planted trees need extra care, especially during the first two years after installation. You’ll find detailed guidelines to help your new trees get a healthy start, including watering, mulching, deer guards, stakes, and weeds on the Care Guide.
Tree Montgomery is a program of the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection. Every step of this process is conducted by Montgomery County employees or employees of County-approved contractors. At any time, you can ask for identification.
There are no long-term requirements or legal restrictions on the shade trees planted through Tree Montgomery, and the program is entirely free. If you would like additional trees, you can sign up again and we will be happy to repeat the process.