The majestic sugar maples that line the driveways to the Baltimore County Center for Maryland Agriculture in Cockeysville, Md., were restored, pruned, fertilized, cabled and, in five cases, fitted with lightning protection at the hands of nearly 100 professional volunteer arborists April 5 via the Maryland Arborist Association (MAA). A long-standing tradition of community volunteerism for its annual Beautification Day, MAA’s efforts resulted in $81,000-plus in volunteer time, equipment and supplies to Baltimore County.
“The Maryland Arborist Association is committed to making Maryland beautiful – one tree at a time," says Damian Varga, president of the Maryland Arborist Association. "Today we have preserved these impressive sugar maples in the hope that future generations will have the opportunity to enjoy them.”
County Executive Jim Smith by Executive Citation, pronounced April 5 Maryland Arborists Association Day in Baltimore County. In his presentation to Association President Damian Varga and other association board members, County Executive Smith thanked the Maryland Arborist Association for “picking this site, doing God’s work in making sure the sugar maples are as majestic in the future as they were in the past. Without the volunteer effort of the association, this could not happen.”
Smith underscored Baltimore County’s “green renaissance” acknowledging the benefits of trees in the environment. Since 2002 the county has planted 9,200 new trees and instituted the Growing Home Campaign, an urban forestry education program that includes a $10 coupon incentive for citizens to plant trees in their own backyards.
“The work here today confirms our enthusiasm to really make this Center valuable to the community,” he says.
The Baltimore County Center for Maryland Agriculture is a 149-acre parcel of land on the corner of Shawan and Cuba Roads.
Nearly 100 professional tree care specialists from private industry dedicated Saturday to pruning, deep root fertilizing, cabling, clearing and restoring these massive trees on the property of the Center. Chippers, stump grinders, cherry pickers and other industry-specific equipment were utilized to assist in the project. Lightning protection was installed in five trees and additional young trees, courtesy of the Maryland Arborist Association, will be planted on the property of the Center in the week ahead.
The day-long project is valued at $81,000.
The Maryland Horse Breeders Association, for whom the Center will be a headquarters, the Maryland Cooperative Extension Baltimore County Office and the Baltimore County Agricultural Resource Center, Inc. partnered with the MAA for this event.
MAA Board Members Frank Dudek and Matt Anacker joined Association President Damian Varga for the ceremony.
All debris, existing and resulting from the beautification project, was removed from the site.