Update on the Greening of Dundalk

Since the Phase 1 completion of the “Greening of Dundalk” project, many things have occurred in Maryland and the nation. The Governor of Maryland, William Donald Schaefer, is currently sponsoring a Governor’s Conference on Trees and Forests to develop a coordinated statewide strategy to protect, restore, and ensure the future of the forest resources of Maryland. On the national level, President Bush’s “America the Beautiful” program will provide large sums of money for rural and community plantings in 1991. The program proposes that the federal government provide leadership and co-ordination of a nationwide volunteer effort, mobilizing businesses to donate funds and labor to plant an average of 30 million trees annually in the communities throughout the country. The Community Trees Program will reverse the current deforestation occurring in the nation’s cities and towns where, on the average, one tree is planted for every four that die or are removed. The timing is right for projects like the Greening of Dundalk to continue forward to promote a healthier community in which to live. The following is a review of this program and of other current projects on the BG&E system.

Phase 1 of the Greening of Dundalk project was completed in 1989 when approximately 130 trees in poor condition were removed and 180 trees planted. Sixty of the 130 trees were under BG&E utility lines and were removed by the Company’s contractor, Asplundh Tree Expert Company. The remaining trees and all stumps were removed through a contract funded by the Baltimore County Department of Community Development. Additionally, Community Development funded the purchase of 110 trees of mixed species, and provided other county assistance. BG&E chose 70 cultivars through the Municipal Tree Restoration Program (MTRP) based at Penn State University (Figure 1). This program selects cultivars to test under field conditions for performance and follows up with studies to produce data enabling better selection for specific site requirements and conditions. In the Greening of Dundalk project, a low mature height and urban hardiness of selected species were of major importance. The Dundalk High School Science Department will utilize its students to conduct follow-up studies over a number of years. (For further detail see, “Tree Replacement Program at Baltimore Gas and Electric Company” by I.O. Bauer, Jr., T.D. Mayer and W.T. Rees, Jr., J. Arboric. 16 (2):42-44.)

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Figure 1.

MTRP projects with cultivar plantings established by participating utilities.

After one year, there is a 100% survival of the trees donated by BG&E (Figure 2). Members of the Greening Committee have removed all guys and remulched the trees. The guy stakes were left as guards to protect against mechanical damage. One tree was damaged by an automobile or other equipment. The damage was not serious, however, and the injured limbs have been pruned by the committee.

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Figure 2.

Flowering crabapples in Dundalk donated by MTRP in spring of 1990.

In 1990, the Greening Committee has already planted 30 trees in various planting spaces throughout the community. BG&E will be removing approximately 50 more trees from under the power lines and replacing them with serviceberry cultivars from MTRP. These trees will be planted this fall. The Greening Committee also plans to have another planting this fall in open spaces not located under power lines.

In order to provide funds, the Greening Committee has sold tee shirts, coffee mugs and baked goods, through which over $2,500 was raised this year alone. They have also established a donation and memorial fund for people to designate money to purchase trees.

BG&E promotes efforts like this by working with community leaders, state and local governments, and the County Forestry Boards. As a result of the Greening of Dundalk, similar projects are now in progress. The Village of Lutherville has completed a tree inventory and will soon submit a planting plan to Penn State for ordering MTRP trees. BG&E will be removing approximately 40-50 silver maples (Figure 3) from under power lines, and providing 50 replacement trees to be planted this fall.

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Figure 3.

Designated trees to be removed in Lutherville.

In 1991, the Villages of Randallstown (Figure 4) and Loch Raven will also receive trees from MTRP. The Randallstown site apparently will not have any tree removals under the power lines, but BG&E is donating 50 trees to ensure that appropriate species will be placed under our wires.

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Figure 4.

Area for planting donated MTRP trees under utility lines in Randallstown.

With such issues as global warming and deforestation in prominence today, the timing is perfect to promote such projects as described in this paper. BG&E feels that, with strong community involvement and participation by state and local governments, area residents are exhibiting heightened awareness of, and concerns for, the trees in their neighborhoods. Everyone involved gains by this comprehensive effort. The utility benefits by accomplishing the goal of good electric reliability while helping the community by providing aesthetically pleasing trees under the utility lines.

For additional information about how you can help your community, contact any of the following organizations:

• The Maryland Forest, Park and Wildlife Service Baltimore Gas and Electric Company Baltimore County Forestry Conservancy District Board

• Greening of Dundalk Committee

• Municipal Tree Restoration Program, Penn State University

• © 1991, International Society of Arboriculture. All rights reserved.