Loudoun Soil and Water Conservation District (LSWCD)/Loudoun County
Tree Planting Program
What is it?
A voluntary program to help fund the cost of planting streamside vegetative buffers on non-agricultural land.
Who is eligible?
Owners of non-agricultural land within Loudoun County. Sites with riparian (streamside) planting areas will be given priority. This includes private land, commercial/industrial properties, or Home Owners Association property.
How much funding is available?
A total of $70,000 (up to $7,000 per acre for the cost of labor and materials for new plantings).
How does the reimbursement work?
Landowners will be reimbursed after planting, following the submission of receipts and a copy of the recorded Declaration of Restrictions to preserve the planting area and a site inspection by LSWCD or County staff. A follow-up site inspection will occur at one year to evaluate the planting success criteria (75% survival with uniform distribution). Additional planting may be required to achieve the success criteria.
What do I have to plant?
1) 260 native deciduous trees/acre (150 Canopy/110 Understory), 3-gallon, planted 13 ft. on center.
OR
2) 450 native deciduous tublings/acre (250 Canopy/200 Understory – with tree tubes, stapled mats, and stakes), planted 10 ft. on center.
PLUS
3) Optional Evergreens: Up to 25% of the canopy trees may be evergreen species.
4) Optional Shrubs: 80, one-gallon, native shrubs (border planting – one shrub every five feet).
The planting area shall be a minimum of 35 feet wide and a maximum of 100 feet wide and shall include a minimum of three different species per category (canopy and understory) selected from the approved plant list, or otherwise approved.
How do I apply?
Applications are due to the LSWCD by March 16, 2020. Approved projects are required to be planted in Spring 2020 (between the project approval date and May 1st).
Where can I buy plants?
Any landscape or nursery business and the Virginia Department of Forestry.
Who do I contact for more information or to apply?
Loudoun Soil and Water Conservation District
30 Catoctin Circle, SE Suite H
Leesburg, VA 20175
571-918-4530