Montgomery County Department of Transportation Plants Record Number of Right-of-Way Trees this Year – Mocofeed

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) is on track to plant a record 3,264 trees by the end of 2026.  

MCDOT plants approximately 2,000 trees annually along County-owned right-of-way as part of its roadside tree planting program. This year, MCDOT also partnered with Casey Trees to plant an additional 1,200 trees within equity emphasis areas in the County. 

“MCDOT’s tree-planting program serves a critical role in protecting our urban environment from the impacts of climate change,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “Roadside trees absorb rainwater and can prevent flooding during severe storms. Trees cool down neighborhoods and provide shade and sun protection for residents during severe heat. They also filter pollution and release oxygen, contributing to cleaner air. I appreciate the efforts of MCDOT, Casey Trees, and the Chesapeake Bay Trust to expand our County’s green canopy along our roadways.” 

Casey Trees, a local nonprofit founded in 2001, received funding from the Chesapeake Bay Trust’s Urban Trees Program to pay for the trees and planting, as part of the 5 Million Trees for Maryland initiative. MCDOT arborists selected locations and tree species and provide ongoing care and maintenance.   

“Street trees do some of the hardest work in our communities, and everyone deserves to share in their benefits, no matter where they live,” said Andrew Schichtel, executive director of Casey Trees. “Our partnership with Montgomery County puts tree equity into action—bringing trees to neighborhoods that need them most and providing the long-term care that helps them thrive.” 

Advertisement

MCDOT arborists are responsible for overseeing the maintenance of the County’s more than 300,000 trees, most of which are located along the streets in the right-of-way.  

“MCDOT planted 2,064 street trees on County-owned right-of-way this fiscal year as part of our annual planting program, mostly along neighborhood streets,” said MCDOT Director Chris Conklin. “We are grateful to be able to collaborate with Casey Trees to drive that number up this year. Tree plantings are done by resident request and usually begin in fall and continue through early spring, when trees are dormant. The MCDOT Tree Maintenance Section tries to accommodate requests as soon as planting season arrives, but late requests may need to wait until the following planting season. The best time to request a tree-planting is now, so I encourage residents who are interested in having a tree planted along their right-of-way to submit their request by calling MC311.” 

The right-of-way is the area that the County owns and maintains, typically located adjacent to a public street, sidewalk, alley, waterway, or utility easement. 

Residents may request MCDOT to plant a tree in the County right-of-way or schedule an existing tree for removal or pruning by visiting the Tree Maintenance webpage and submitting a service request online or by calling 311 from within the County or dialing 240-777-0311, from 7 a.m.—7 p.m., Monday through Friday.  

Advertisement

For information on MCDOT programs and services, visit montgomerycountymd.gov/mcdot, follow @MCDOTNow on X, Bluesky, Instagram, Facebook, and subscribe to MCDOT’s “Go Montgomery!” newsletter.