Celebrating more than 50 years of planting trees in mclean

Riverbend Regional Park

Photo: Barbara Ryan

we work to preserve and restore mclean’s urban forest.

Our mission is to spotlight the vital role native trees play in our local ecosystem and make McLean a more livable community by planting, maintaining and preserving trees.

FOLLOW MCLEAN TREES FOUNDATION ON INSTAGRAM@MCLEANTREESFOUNDATION

The snow-white flower bursts of our native Serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.) are now abundant in early April, another harbinger of spring. Call it Serviceberry, Shadbush, Juneberry or anything else, Amelanchier spp. Is a generous provider of gifts for
We are so excited for the beginning of Neighborhood Tree Program’s (NTP) Spring Planting Season—today we planted our first tree (a beautiful Fringe Tree) and it was a glorious day! The NTP provides McLean homeowners the opportunity to pl
MTF is looking for eager volunteers to continue our invasive removal efforts in Lewinsville Park! Come out for fresh air and great company! We will be holding work days on Thursday, March 14th (10-12), Saturday, March 16th (10-12) and Saturday, March
Now is the time to look for the telltale red aura among the treetops that heralds the diminutive blooms of our native Red Maple (Acer rubrum). They may appear tiny from below, but Red Maple blooms are incredibly complex when viewed close-up, and they
We’re BACK! After a short hiatus,MTF is ready to get back to work removing invasives from our beloved McLean parks and WE NEED YOU to help! We will be working at Lewinsville Park on February 15th (10-2) and on February 19th (10-12). Come and
The exfoliating bark of our native River Birch (Betula nigra) is magnificent to behold on a sunny day in February! Even without its leaves, the multi-stemmed, deciduous, tree makes a statement. Typically grown as a multi-stemmed tree, River Birch is
This month MTF celebrates our native American Beech (Fagus grandlfolia) tree, a deciduous standout in January because its bleached, pale, tan, leaves stay through winter, glittering in the sunlight and fluttering in the wind. American Beech often ret
18 wonderful volunteers joined us at McLean Central Park on December 28th to finish up our year of invasive removal—we liberated many mature trees of ivy thanks to their efforts! We are so appreciative of all our volunteers and hope to see you
This month, let’s celebrate our native American Holly, an evergreen standout in December with its vibrant red berries (on females) and dark green leaves. It grows slowly to 15-30’ and up to 40’ in the wild, preferring acidic, moist

NEW! MTF 2023 at a glance

Read MTF 2022 at a Glance HERE

Tree Planting Map

The map below is a visual record of all of MTF’s tree plantings. Click an individual marker to learn more about the location and type of tree(s) planted. You can also expand the map to view a larger version.

Learn more about our tree planting programs and find out how you can help add more trees to our map!

 

Map Key

 

let’s plant some trees

McLean Trees Foundation creates opportunities to plant more trees in our community through our Neighborhood Tree Programs, Tree Sponsorship Program and through volunteer events.

Whether you have time, money or space available to help, MTF has a program to get you involved in beautifying our community and supporting our local ecosystem by planting trees!

 

Get your hands dirty!

You can help MTF plant more trees in McLean by donating your time to one of our tree-centric events.

learn how

Trees for your Yard or Neighborhood

Find out how MTF can help you plant native trees on your own property or in your neighborhood.

learn how

plant a tree in a public space

We can help you plant a tree in honor or in memory of someone in a public space in McLean.

learn how

From the MTF Blog:

Featured
April is Native Plant Month!
April is Native Plant Month!

States across America, including the District of Columbia, have designated April as Native Plant Month, thanks to the efforts of The Garden Club of America’s member clubs and collaborating organizations. Read about the many benefits native plants have to offer and why it makes sense to celebrate and plant them!

Help Trees Thrive: Tear Up Some Turf
Help Trees Thrive: Tear Up Some Turf

It’s fairly common in residential neighborhoods to see trees surrounded by grass or by small mulch beds, often heaped high like a volcano. But did you know that your trees would be healthier and grow faster if you replaced that turf and mulch volcanos with a 2-4” deep ring of mulch that extends out to the tree’s drip line or even beyond? Let’s look at why this is.

Native Trees of McLean
Native Trees of McLean

Many of us want to plant native trees for their beauty and the benefits they offer for humans, wildlife, and the ecosystem. But how do we know which native trees are best suited to our site? The key is understanding what conditions our native trees are adapted to in the wild, and choosing native trees that match the conditions of our site. Its also important to create a wholistic habitat and ecosystem for the newly planted tree that will best support it.

why native trees?

“Trees of all sizes contribute immensely to the structural beauty, functionality, and habitat value of a garden.” 

Rick Darke and Doug Tallamy, The Living Landscape

Photo: Red Buckeye

more about native trees
 

But trees grow sooo slowly…

That’s true. But did you know that trees are workhorses for the environment from the moment they sprout and for decades into the future? Learn more about the incredible power of trees by clicking below.

Photo: White Oak, Joyce Harris

why trees are awesome
 

mclean trees foundation has planted dozens of trees in public parks since 2019

Photo: Barbara Ryan