The Eyes of Paint Branch - Spring 2001 Newsletter
Volume: 7 Issue: 1

Many public and private groups joined forces on Saturday, April 28, for a community tree planting in the headwaters of the Paint Branch watershed. Volunteers commemorated Earth Day by planting 350 trees near the stream in the parkland south of Good Hope Road between New Hampshire Avenue and Briggs Chaney Road. Sponsors included Eyes of Paint Branch, St. Stephen Lutheran Church in White Oak, and the Potomac-Patuxent chapter of Trout Unlimited.

Several public organizations were also involved. Prior to the planting, the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) dug all 350 holes with a power auger. This was a big labor-saving contribution, and made the planting of such a large number of trees possible for a single morning event. Brian LeCoutur, COG's urban forester, represented COG at the planting.

Candy Bunnag, an environmental planner with Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (MNCPPC), and Carole Bergmann, M-NCPPC's forest ecologist, found an appropriate planting site and selected tree species, as well as arranged for the delivery of mulch, preparation of landscape mats to control weeds, tree wrap, and Tubex protectors. Wayne Noll, a forester and inspector with MNCPPC, also helped with preparations and planting. In addition, MNCPPC also donated approximately 100 trees grown at their Pope Farm facility.

Volunteers planting trees in Gum Springs sub-watershed

Kenneth Jolly, a forester with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), demonstrated proper tree planting procedures and assisted throughout the event. The larger trees were among 250 obtained through DNR's TREE-MENDOUS Maryland Program. They were purchased with funds obtained from forestry-related violations, such as illegal clearing. By using the fines paid by violators in this way, DNR and MNCPPC hope to be able to offset the effects of these violations.

Gwen Strike and Rachel Schmidt of the Stewardship Committee at St. Stephen Lutheran Church led its efforts. In addition to providing volunteers for the planting, St. Stephen staffed the welcome table and provided morning refreshments and a wonderful lunch at the church after the planting for all participants.

Riparian buffers such as this newly planted area are important because they slow down and filter runoff, helping groundwater aquifers to recharge. These aquifers are the source of the cold, clear water that flows in the Paint Branch and supports the wild brown trout. This year marks the 23rd consecutive year--every year since monitoring began--in which the Paint Branch wild trout have successfully reproduced.