Events

Free Native Trees - Thursday, March 26

We will have 450-500 native bare-root trees and shrubs available at two locations: Merikay’s garden at 14909 Spring Meadows Drive, Darnestown (from 4:30 pm until trees are gone or it’s dark) and Seneca State Park near the park office (5:30 pm until trees are gone).

Each household may take up to 10 trees. We may limit the number of the smaller species so as to allow more people access.

The trees are bare root and will need to be planted immediately in your garden -- the roots must stay moist but should not be put in water buckets as they also need air. Moist soil is the best solution -- even if it's just a pot or temporary planting spot. If you have newspaper, please bring it as that makes ideal wrapping when damp to keep roots moist until you get home and can plant.

Please read about our available species so you know what fits your space.

Pawpaw (Asimina triloba)
A shrub or small tree that tolerates shade, pawpaw produces a fruit that is readily eaten by wildlife and humans. It has a height 15 to 30 feet, a spread of 15 to 30 feet, and prefers full sun to part shade and moist fertile soils. Often spreads by root suckers to form colonies or thickets.

Spicebush (Lindera benzoin)
A multi-stemmed shrub that grows to 15 feet, spicebush produces shiny red berries in the fall that are eaten by birds. This species is dioecious which mean male and female flowers occur on separate plants. Best suited to moist sites and has a yellow color in fall.

Southern Arrowwood (Viburnum dentatum)
A multi-stemmed shrub, growing 6-10 feet tall and wide producing dark blue berries that attract many birds. This native is adaptable to many soil conditions from dry to fairly wet and prefers partial shade or full sun.

Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis)
A deciduous shrub that grows only on wet sites, buttonbush is usually 3 to 12 feet tall with a spread of 4 to 8 feet. The seed is consumed by small birds and ducks. Buttonbush must be planted at the water's edge. Prefers full sun to partial shade.

White oak (Quercus alba)
White oak may grow 80 to 100 feet and is valued for timber, fuelwood and wildlife food and cover. It prefers moist, well-drained soils. Maryland native.

Also expect to have serviceberry, beautyberry, hazelnut, witchhazel, Southern red oak, willow oak, pin oak, Virginia pine. Will add facts for these later (facts about these trees are posted in our “News” section).

Kelley Park 8th Annual Cleanup (April 4, 2026)

Meet at the pedestrian bridge at Kelley Park, 400 Victory Farm Drive. Wear long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and closed-toe shoes or waterproof boots. Trash grabbers, gloves and bags will be provided. We will pick up trash on land, in the stream, and in the wetland. This is a family-friendly event and all ages are welcome! Young children must be accompanied by an adult. SSL hours are available for junior and high school students.

The stream in Kelley Park is a tributary of Whetstone Run that flows into Whetstone Lake, then to Great Seneca Creek and eventually to the ocean. Plastics in particular are persistent pollutants that can travel thousands of miles in the ocean, and are lethal to animals who mistake them for food. Thanks for helping to keep our parks and waterways clean and beautiful!

More information: Seneca Creek Watershed Partners senecacreekwp@gmail.com or City of Gaithersburg 301-258-6370 or environment@gaithersburgmd.gov