Spotlight on Lake Saving Yards
An on-going showcase of exemplary yards designed by homeowners with lake protection in mind
By Erin Johnson, Friends of the Lake Co-Chair
Reforestation is a priority for Friends of the Lake (FOL) to
protect the beauty and value of the community, especially
the lakes and streams. A healthy tree canopy is a primary
preventative solution to help control stormwater runoff,
which is the main polluter of Lake Linganore waterways.
All-out reforestation is what Patrick and Meagan Smith of
Pinehurst took on when they moved from North Shore to
a heavily wooded double lot in Pinehurst. Most of the trees
were removed in the land clearing-process in preparation
for their home build. Their double lot is very steep and
rocky with beautiful views down to the lake.
Douglas fir. Most have survived. They plan to put in 100
more this coming year. Planting bare root seedlings and
protecting them in tree tubes has the highest success rate.
Given the steepness of their property and the rocky soil,
their property is challenging to landscape. Patrick took
advantage of a large rock outcrop to create a sheltered patio
and fire pit area looking down to the lake. The patio is filled
with stone and bordered by rocks from the property. In this
way, it filters runoff coming down from the upper part of
the front yard.
After some research, the Smiths learned about the John S.
Ayton State Forest Tree Nursery in Preston, Maryland. This
tree nursery is operated by the Maryland Department of
Natural Resources. It sells Maryland native tree and shrub
seedlings for as little as $1 each for conservation, lumber,
and commercial cut Christmas tree purposes. The Smiths
total tree cost for their property was $90. Tubes and stakes
were extra.
Most of the reforestation best practices and planting
techniques that Patrick and Meagan learned are available at
www.lakelinganore.
org/reforestation.
This page shares
advice on how to
reforest your lot and
where to purchase
trees and equipment.
The Smiths planted
175 bare root trees
and protected them
in
tubes.
They
planted a mix of
species such as black
oak, red maple,
Eastern
redbud,
black locust, yellow
poplar (also known
as tulip poplar), and
10
LakeTalk February 2018
The Smiths did
two simple things
to reduce runoff
in their front yard.
They redirected a
downspout
that
was
positioned
uphill into the
front yard so that
it now flows into
a level spreader,
which is a drainage
ditch with stones,
in a location of
maximum runoff.
He dug out a swale
along the front of
the flower bed that