In partnership between the town of Camden and the Camden Garden Club, the annual Street Shade Tree Planting Program continues for the 54th year, helping to keep Camden lined with beautiful street side shade trees. Administered by the town, which also determines what tree species are available, individual property owners in Camden have the opportunity to purchase up to two trees for $75 each; a cost savings to the homeowner of two-thirds. A total of 50 trees with an expanded list of 13 tree variety options are available this year. The application deadline is March 25,2022.

Planting, mulching and staking will be completed by the town of Camden during May or very early June 2022. Trees will be planted within approximately ten feet of the street or sidewalk per town specifications to qualify as a street side tree. Residents should mark the planting site(s) well with stakes by the first of April. The trees are guaranteed for one year, provided they are properly watered. Property owners are responsible for watering well throughout the Spring, Summer and Fall.

The Camden Shade Tree Program was established primarily to replace town trees lost to age, infestation, disease and weather, and its origins can be traced to 1937 when the Camden Garden Club voted to plant a tree on the Knowlton Street school ground. Since then, the Club’s archives have documented more than 1,461 trees planted. Camden's “aggressive effort to plant successive generations of shade trees along its highways and byways” earned Camden the designation of Tree City USA from the National Arbor Day Foundation in 1997.

The town of Camden 2022 Street Shade Tree Order Form can be obtained by contacting Janice L. Esancy, Camden Assistant Town Manager at (207) 236-3353, emailing her at jesancy@camdenmaine.gov or by visiting https://www.camdenmaine.gov/Shade%20Tree%20Form.pdf.

The deadline for submitting applications for this year’s program is March 25, 2022.