Adams County Planting Partnership

A joint initiative of the Watershed Alliance, the Adams County Conservation District,
the Chesapeake Bay Foundation
—and you! 

Fall 2025 Free Tree Seedling Distribution  

We currently have only 600 seedlings available. Close to 5000 seedlings have been requested since the request form opened on August 23rd.

The remaining species include:

  • Honey Locust (Gleditsia triancanthos)

  • Maple, Silver (Acer saccharinum)

  • Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis)

  • Smooth Alder (Alnus serrulata)

Seedling pick up dates will be Thursday, October 16th and Saturday, October 18th. Pick up will be located at the Ag Center , 670 Old Harrisburg Road Gettysburg, Gettysburg, Pa.

This session is the last distribution of seedlings that is supported by the Keystone 10Million Trees program. We are currently working to develop our plan to continue this important opportunity to help our watershed. We will keep you updated as details arise.

Be sure your seedlings are correctly planted! Instructions can be found on our website.  Be sure to keep them happy throughout the summer….they will be thirsty.

Contact email with questions:   waactivity@gmail.com

How do I receive my free seedlings?

Step 1: Use the FALL SPECIES LIST to determine which species will fit your needs and the conditions of your planting area.

Step 2: Submit a Request on August 23rd, 2025 beginning at 9:00 am for your seedlings. Our seedling inventory is limited, so requests will be fulfilled until the numbers are depleted.

Step 3: In late September or early October watch your email for a confirmation that includes the number of seedlings you will receive.

Step 4: Pick up your seedlings on the dates of distribution.

Step 5: Plant your seedlings!!

More trees=cleaner water.

The Adams County Planting Partnership is made possible by the resources of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership, which aims to plant 10 million native trees and shrubs in Pennsylvania by 2025. Since we joined forces in 2018, we’ve grown from just 500 trees distributed in 2018 to more than 92,000 trees planted in Adams County by the spring of 2025!

Our role is to help distribute native seedlings here in Adams County, to folks like you with anything from acres of land to a small backyard in need of some cooling shade.

How it works

You can participate in the Adams County Planting Partnership (formerly the ACCD Annual Tree Sale) by requesting free tree or shrub seedlings for planting on your property within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.

The Planting Partnership reserves native trees and shrubs through the Chesapeake Bay Foundations's Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership to make available to landowners who wish to become our planting partners. Partners agree to share where the trees are planted and provide a picture of their planted trees and shrubs. Each tree and shrub will come with a plastic shelter tube, stake, zip-ties, and bird-netting. Partners may request up to 100 plants on a first-come, first-served basis. We’ll do our best to get you the seedlings you request, but we can’t guarantee requests.