Invasive Tree Removal Exchange Program

Program now closed for the season! Please check back next July (2026) for registration to receive a sapling in September.

Receive a free native tree sapling to replace an invasive tree on your property courtesy of our Gravel Bed project.

VCE Loudoun Master Gardener Tree Exchange Program promotes the removal of invasive plants from the urban landscape to reduce their spread within our natural areas. Our program encourages the removal of invasive trees and shrubs (autumn olive, Bradford pear, etc.), as listed by the VA Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), by providing Loudoun County landowners with a replacement native tree sapling in the fall.

One native tree sapling, approximately 3 ft. tall, will be provided per landowner for removal of an invasive species. Proof of tree and removal are part of the application process. Preregistration is required as a limited number of trees are available. Trees are first come, first served and we cannot guarantee first choice. Weather permitting, sapling pick-up will be September 27th, from 2 to 4pm a the VCE Loudoun Office.

Property owners are responsible for removal of their invasive tree. It is recommended to hire a certified arborist: https://www.treesaregood.org/findanarborist. Depending on what is removed, you will most likely need to plant the tree in another location due to the stump or growing suckers from the base and any herbicide treatments. Planning for the new tree is a must (see Right Plant/Right Place below) and should be done well in advance of receiving the tree at the end of September.

Trees Available Fall 2025 (photos from VT Dendrology by John Seiler, Edward Jensen, Alex Niemiera, and John Peterson):

American Elm – ALL TAKEN

American Hornbeam – ALL TAKEN

American Plum -ALL TAKEN

Arrowwood Viburnum – ALL TAKEN

Black Cherry – ALL TAKEN

Catalpa – ALL TAKEN

Common Hackberry – ALL TAKEN

Northern Red Oak – ALL TAKEN

Swamp White Oak – ALL TAKEN

Sweetgum – ALL TAKEN

Sycamore – ALL TAKEN

Tuliptree – ALL TAKEN

White Oak – ALL TAKEN

Tree	Mature Height	Mature Width	Soil	Sun
American Elm Ulmus americana	60 to 100 ft.	40 to 80 ft.	well drained loam, adaptable to wide variety	full sun to partial shade
American Hornbeam Carpinus caroliniana	20 to 30 ft.	20 to 35 ft.	prefers deep, fertile, moist, acidic soil	best in partial shade
American Plum Prunus americana	10 to 20 ft.	15 to 25 ft.	well drained	intolerant of shade
Arrowwood Viburnum Viburnum dentatum	5 to 10 ft.	6 to 10 ft.	clay, silt, sandy, rocky	full sun to partial shade
Black Cherry Prunus serotina	6o to 80 ft.	30 to 60 ft.	deep well-drained soil	full sun to partial shade
Catalpa Catalpa speciosa	40 to 70 ft.	8 to   16 ft.	Any	full sun, partial sun/shade
Common Hackberry Celtis occidentalis	40 to 100 ft.	40 to 60 ft	alkaline or acid soil conditions	full sun
Northern Red Oak Quercus rubra	50 to 75 ft.	50 to 75 ft.	well drained, slightly acidic, sandy loam	full sun, partial shade
Swamp White Oak Quercus bicolor	50 to 60 ft.	50 to 60 ft.	moist to wet, deep, acidic soil	full sun
Sweetgum Liquidambar styraciflua	60 to 100 ft.	40 to 50 ft.	medium to well drained	sun or part shade
Sycamore Platanus occidentalis	75 to 100 ft.	75 to 100 ft.	moist soil with good drainage	full sun
Tuliptree Liriodendron tulipifera	75 to 100 ft.	75 to 100 ft.	deep, rich in nutrients, moderately moist, and well-drained	full sun
White Oak Quercus alba	50 to 135 ft.	50 to 80 ft.	coarse, deep, moist, well-drained, and slightly acid soils	full sun to shade

Anticipate the mature size of trees. For instance, never plant a tree where its future height will interfere with a power line. Avoid placing trees too close to buildings, driveways, and sidewalks, since the roots of the fully grown plants may damage these structures, and the limbs and foliage may block windows and doors or interfere with foot traffic. Take notice of property lines and don’t plant where tree overhangs neighboring property.

Resources:

• Arbor Day Right Tree Right Place
• University of Missouri Tree Placement on Home Grounds
• VCE Publication: Planting Trees
• Tree Owner’s Manual

Tree Planting/Care

• Contact Miss Utility to mark property near the planting site before you dig. This should be done at least a week before receiving the tree – aim for mid-September.
• Planting: Fall Planting of Bare Root Seedling. Plant as soon as possible or within 2 days. Roots must remain moist until planted. If roots dry out, the sapling will perish. Consider digging the hole prior to receiving the tree, noting the hole size may change based on root mass. Keep the native soil next to the hole until planted.
• If not planted the same day, keep sapling out of direct sun and spritz roots lightly with water. Keep in the bag.
• Newly planted trees should receive 1 inch of water weekly.
• Protect new saplings with plastic sleeve or fencing to keep deer browse at bay. Keep sleeve on tree until tree trunk fits snug inside it (several years). Then remove.
• Proper mulch: 3 inches away from trunk of tree, 2 feet out from base (3 feet when mature), and 3 inches deep.

Preregistration to receive sapling

Please fill out this form to register for a native tree sapling to replace an invasive tree removed: https://forms.gle/WzFQqqJoHHXDpy5f6

You must also send 3 photos: 1) the entire identified invasive tree, 2) an up-close photo of the invasive tree leaves, and 3) a photo of the tree cut down in order to receive a free sapling. For removal, it is ok to send a picture of the stump, the ground-up stump, the tree lying on the ground, etc. Something to show it has been removed. Photos emailed to TrEx.vcelcmg@gmail.com. Please include owner name and invasive tree name for our verification.

Receiving Trees

Tree saplings will be available for pick up on Saturday, September 27, from 2 to 4pm at the VCE Loudoun Office: 750 Miller Dr., SE, Ste. 131, Leesburg (weather permitting). You will be contacted should this date and time change. You will receive the tree bagged in moist planting medium or root gel, a tree label, and an owner’s packet. You must be present during that time to receive your tree. We cannot hold it for you.

Tracking Growth

We are pleased to be able to offer these saplings to Loudoun County residents to aid in increasing the tree canopy, and therefore, helping to clean the air, reduce stormwater runoff, and increase outdoor enjoyment.

It is hopeful you will agree to track the tree’s growth journey for a few years so we can collect the data by species. We would appreciate logging the tree height every October for 3 to 5 years. Simply measure from the ground to the top of the sapling right after planting at the highest point of the tree, submit the data, and then do it again every year around the same time. Submit the results here: Tracking Tree Growth. QR code will also be in your owner’s packet.

Tree Signage