The McLean Tree Foundation celebrated Earth Day in Lewinsville Park with Supervisor Jimmy Bierman on April 25th, 2026.  It was a great success!  We had 60 volunteers! They weeded and mulched a total of 22 trees, planted 20 saplings in anti-deer cages on a hill and around a swale. They dug holes, pulled small and large invasives, pounded stakes in, carried and spread mulch, watered the trees, and laughed and shared stories. Thanks to these dedicated volunteers, Lewinsville Park looks great!

For the McLean Trees Foundation, 2025 was a remarkable year defined by growth, generosity, and deepening community roots. Fueled by dedicated volunteers and expanding local support, MTF achieved its most productive year yet.

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!

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.

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.