recommended tree Species for Urban plantings
We are developing user-friendly tools for tree selection as part of the Tree Solutions Now Act, but in the meantime you can download a spreadsheet version of our recommendations here:
List with details for tree planters (individuals and organizations)
List with details for tree growers (nurseries, propagators, and seed collectors)
The importance of planting diversity
Planting a variety of tree species is important for preventing pest and disease outbreaks and maximizing ecosystem services provided by forests. This is especially true for urban and suburban areas where trees are more likely to face additional stressors like compacted soil and pollution. Read this article published by the Urban & Community Forestry Society (UCFS) for more details. It features strategies being used in Baltimore to address street tree inequity in previously redlined neighborhoods.
New Extension Publication for Yards!
Schmitt, L., McGurrin, K., and Burghardt, K., “Managing City and Suburban Yards and Gardens to Sustain Insect Communities.” University of Maryland Extension FS-2022-0633; 2023.
Upcoming Extension events
Garden Pest Videos
Resources for learning more about…
Native Plants
Insects and their kin
Landscape Design
The Science of Biodiversity
Check out our Publications page for a full list of the peer-reviewed articles we’ve produced. A few studies relating to backyard biodiversity are also listed below:
Non-native plants reduce abundance, richness, and host specialization in lepidopteran communities
Impact of native plants on bird and butterfly biodiversity in suburban landscapes