Plantings for the Piedmont

PEC and some of our partner organizations offer programs across our 9-county region that provide free technical assistance, project design, materials, and labor for the planting of native trees and shrubs in riparian zones on qualifying properties.

Free Native Tree Giveaways This Spring!

Posted on April 3, 2025April 3, 2025 by Linnea Stewart

This spring, PEC is partnering with Friends of the Rappahannock to give away over 600 native trees in Leesburg and Aldie!

These two tree giveaways are part of our Plantings for the Piedmont Program, which is an effort to provide free technical assistance, project design, materials, and labor for the planting of native trees and shrubs in riparian and upland zones on qualifying properties within the headwater counties of the Potomac, Rappahannock, and York River watersheds.

Saturday, April 5 at Orvis Leesburg
Friday, April. 5 @ 1 – 5 p.m.
Orvis Store
1614 Village Market Blvd SE #110
Leesburg, Virginia 20175

Saturday, May 3 at the Gilberts Corner Farmers Market
10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (while supplies last)
Corner of Rt. 15/50
39950 Little River Turnpike
Aldie, Virginia 20105

Questions? Contact Linnea Sherman at lsherman@pecva.org.

Native Tree and Shrub Species Information

White Oak, Virginia Tech Dendrology
- Fact Sheet
Flowering Dogwood, Virginia Tech Dendrology
- Fact Sheet
Servieberry, Virginia Tech Dendrology
- Fact Sheet
Witch Hazel, Virginia Tech Dendrology
- Fact Sheet

Tree Planting Resources:

Plantings for the Piedmont applications open for 2025-2026

Posted on December 9, 2024December 9, 2024 by Linnea Stewart

See if you are eligible for FREE assistance to plant and maintain trees on your property. Applications for Plantings for the Piedmont are open for 2025-2026.

Partnership for the Ages

Posted on July 3, 2024July 3, 2024 by Faith Schweikert

The Hellmanns are glad to know that their corner of the world will remain intact — a place where generations to come can enjoy the native wildflowers alongside Bear Trail, the hardwoods they plan to plant after the next pine harvest, and the great place to live that they have always loved by the creek.

Call for Volunteers: Upcoming Tree Plantings in Rappahannock County

Posted on October 24, 2023October 24, 2023 by PEC

PEC works throughout the year on private and public property to plant trees and shrubs to establish or improve riparian buffers. This fall, we are hosting two volunteer tree plantings in Rappahannock County.

This May, Orvis Giveback Days Will Raise Money for The Piedmont Environmental Council’s Tree Planting Program

Posted on September 1, 2023May 24, 2024 by PEC

During the month of September, when you shop at your local Orvis store in Arlington, Leesburg or Tysons Corner part of your purchase goes to support local land and water conservation efforts! For every purchase over $10, Orvis will donate $10 on your behalf to The Piedmont Environmental Council as a part of their Giveback Days campaign.

A Walk Along Cedar Run

Posted on April 26, 2023April 26, 2023 by Maggi Blomstrom

Earlier this month, friends new and old joined us for the 20th Annual Bluebell Walk: Benefits of Beavers, Birds & Battling Invasives for Native Biodiversity along the banks of Cedar Run in Catlett, VA.

Volunteer Spotlight: Felix Kontanis and Jennifer Dorrer

Posted on March 22, 2023March 23, 2023 by Sophia Chapin

Each spring and fall, PEC welcomes dozens of volunteers who get their hands dirty and their feet muddy helping us plant native trees and shrubs along streams on private properties. We caught up with two of our tree planting volunteers, Jennifer Dorrer and her son, Felix Kontanis, to learn about their experiences with PEC.